Veterans Who Previously Served Their Communities
Born in Canton on June 22, 1919, Edward Lewis Thompson was a dedicated member of his community, as his motto in life was to “never stop learning.” He served his community for 57 years as a deacon in the Pleasant Grove Baptist church. This was a man who was more than dedicated to the success of young people and his community. As a member of the Boy Scouts, Civitan and Joy Clubs, a superintendent of the Sunday school congress, and a man who supported missionary’s. He deserves to be commemorated after such a record of service to the community.
Cleve Miller (right) with first cousin William Bowens
William Cleveland Miller or “Cleve” was born December 10, 1884. “His mother Kate Bowens often told him that he was born in a cotton patch while she was picking cotton on a plantation in Georgia. She said that she carried him home in a cotton basket.” At age 12 or 13 he began working in a boiler room for the railroad company.
When he got older he served as a private with Company G2 Engineers during World War I. While in the army Cleve worked surveying and building bridges. Upon completing his service Cleve came back to North Carolina where he married Nora Alice Howell in 1919, together they raised eight children.
Cleve also had a profound impact on his community, he built the first house on Happytop in 1914 near Murphy, NC. The Happytop area became a small African American community in which much of his relatives and descendants lived. Cleve passed away on February 11, 1970, his upstanding character is portrayed by his service to our country and his service to his community.
Wilburn Garfield McKinney was born and raised in Andrews, North Carolina or Cherokee County. Wilburn was born to Fanie Blye and Mack H. McKinney on the 22nd of September in 1922. McKinney would grow up in Andrews until he was drafted into the Navy during WWII, at the age of nineteen. After serving his time in the Navy, McKinney would dedicate the majority of his life to Baptist ministry with the New Bethel Church.
In 1994 William McKinney, who through his many contributions to his community influenced many lives, passed away at 72 years old.