Camilla Henderson Taft

Mrs. Camilla Henderson Taft, 77, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, July 13, 2017, due to a stroke.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held on at 2 p.m. Monday at Jarvis United Methodist Church, the Rev. John Strother officiating. A private family burial will be held prior to the service in Greenwood Cemetery.
Camilla was born in Smithfield, daughter of Thomas Henry and Doris Boyette Henderson. She was a member of the first graduating class of J.H. Rose High School and a graduate of East Carolina University where she served as Chief Marshal and was a cheerleader. She taught school for 10 years including at West Covina Elementary School in California, Elmhurst Elementary and later at Pitt Community College where she taught adult literacy. Camilla was married to Joseph Marvin Taft, Jr., and they made their home in Greenville.
An active, longtime member of Jarvis United Methodist Church, Camilla served on several boards and was chair of the Prayer Commission for 13 years. She was a leader of the Tuesday morning bible study, a member of the United Methodist Women, and a Sunday School teacher for many years. Camilla was a member of the Board of Directors for Carolina Pregnancy Center and was engaged in many other ministries including New Beginning Church, Globe International Nicaragua, and Fellowship of Christian Athletes. She was a charter member of the Ex Libris Book Club. Camilla cherished spending summers at Lake Junaluska where she served on the Junaluska Associates Board and coordinated the Junaluska Summer Sunday School program. Camilla will be fondly remembered for many reasons including her loving heart for others and her tremendous faith in Christ.
She is survived by her husband of 54 years, Joseph Marvin Taft, Jr.; daughters, Lou Taft Welch and husband James of Raleigh, Camilla "Cissy" Taft Hicks and husband Jay of Arlington, Va., Martha Taft Ladd and husband Bill of Wilmington; son, Joseph Marvin Taft III and wife Susanne of Asheville; grandchildren, Carson and Cameron Welch of Raleigh, Talis Kiesling of Wilmington, Jackson and Charles Hicks, of Arlington, Va., and Taytum Taft of Asheville; brother, Thomas Henry Henderson Jr. and wife Sandra of Raleigh; sister, Martha Lillian Henderson and husband Carl Henley of Pittsboro.
The family will receive friends from 5-7 p.m. Sunday at Wilkerson Funeral Home and immediately following the service in the Taft Christian Life Center. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Jarvis Memorial United Methodist Church, 510 S Washington St, Greenville, NC 27858, or Lake Junaluska Assembly, 759 N Lakeshore Dr, Lake Junaluska, NC 28745.
Online condolences at www.wilkersonfuneralhome.com.