Siler City Mayor John Grimes and his wife Cecilia have been married for nearly 54 years. They first met on campus when they were both attending college at Wake Forest University.
“I first saw John from the stands at the North Carolina East-West All-Star football game at Greensboro the summer before we entered college,” Cecilia said. “He was playing for the West, and I came to pull for a high school star from Jordan-Matthews playing for the East. I first laid eyes on him when he kicked off at the start of the game for the West.”
They both have the sense they were meant to be.
“When I was being recruited to play college football, I often was invited to visit UNC, Duke, and N.C. State,” John said. “When I drove by the Siler City town limits signs on Highway 64, I’d always think, ‘Wonder why that Siler City sign always catches my eye?’ Now I know.”
“I’ve told this true story for decades, so here it goes again,” Cecilia said. “I was seated with my college roommate at one of the front tables in the school cafeteria at Wake Forest when John walked by. I asked my roommate, ‘Who is THAT?’ and she answered that was John Grimes and he was a freshmen football player. I replied, ‘Well, if he talks as good as he looks, then I’m in trouble because that’s exactly what I want my sons to look like.’”
The two have had a long, supportive working relationship both as parents and partners.
“It has always been supportive: we try to help each other in whatever the enterprise,” Cecilia said. “Actually most of my working life, I have taught school, beginning in Germany, in the early years of our marriage when John served in the U.S. Army and I taught soldiers on base. Later I taught at Central Carolina Community College for 22 years, and then another eight in high schools.”
Cecilia said John “found his calling” after military service and enjoyed decades of work at her father’s business, Cecil Bud Tires in downtown Siler City.
“I joined him for a few years when he needed me before his retirement,” she said. “The best thing about our working relationship was having a front row seat over the decades, as I watched him help others — in his business, professional, and political endeavors. It’s pretty inspiring to watch him ‘do his thing.’”
They sum up the secret to a long marriage in two words: steadfast commitment
So what will this happy couple do to celebrate Valentine’s Day this year?
“This Valentine’s Day John will be at a budget meeting for the town, and I am going to our granddaughter’s basketball tournament,” Cecilia said. “He always gives me chocolate — a sack of Heath candy bars — because he knows they were my daddy’s favorite candy and eating them reminds me of my daddy and makes me happy.”
“My wife is a loving mate who has been by my side and stuck with me through thick and thin,” John said.
“He is the most fascinating person I have ever met, and he inspires me to be better,” Cecilia said.