Cecil Mae Thornburg Feather, 93, a resident of Abernethy Laurels in Newton, passed away on February 10. She was born in Conover to Cecil G. and Carrie Hoke Thornburg on May 31, 1929. She graduated from Lenoir Rhyne College in 1951 and married Rev. Nevin H. Feather on June 17, 1953.
A memorial service will be held at 3:30 pm in the Spirit Place chapel at Abernethy Laurels on Thursday, February 16. The Rev. Dr. Susan Roddey and Rev. Sandi Hood will officiate. Arrangements are being handled by Catawba Memorial Park, Funerals & Cremations.
Cecil Mae was a musician, teacher, and homemaker. She taught music in public schools in Catawba County, shared her piano, organ, and directing skills in church music programs in Catawba and Rowan Counties, and taught private piano lessons to many children and adults. Cecil Mae and her husband, Nevin, enjoyed playing piano duets and brought delight to those who heard them perform at social gatherings and senior centers in their community. She was a member of the St. Cecilia Music Club in Hickory and a volunteer at the LINC Gift and Thrift Shop in Newton for many years. Cecil Mae is a member of Peace United Church of Christ in Hickory.
Cecil Mae is survived by her husband, Nevin, and their daughters, Carol Feather Martin of Springfield, VA, Dr. Melodie Feather of Port Royal, SC, and Celeste Feather (Peter Murray) of Dublin, OH. Her six grandchildren are Dr. Daniel Stern of Glendale, CA, Stephen Stern of Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, Cecilia Martin of Staunton, VA, Dean Martin of Alexandria, VA, and Erin Murray and Ethan Murray of Dublin, OH.
Cecil Mae is preceded in death by her parents and two brothers, Lee Thornburg and Alvin Thornburg, both of Conover.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be given to the Dementia Alliance of North Carolina at https://dementianc.org/Donate/?form=DANCDonate.
