Tuesday, July 1, 2008 10:08 pm

Aileen Cooper Williams 85, passed away at her daughter’s home on June 26, 2008 after an extended illness. She was born on January 6, 1923 in Nash County, daughter of the late Dewy Lee Cooper, Sr. and Sara Lillian Cooper Cooper. She was preceded in death by her husband Hoyt Tunnell Williams, Sr.; son, Hoyt Tunnell Williams, Jr.; grandparents James Pharoah and Lucy Baines Cooper, Neverson Wright and Lourenda Evans Cooper; brothers, James McLean Cooper, Dewey Lee Cooper, Jr., Alton Wright Cooper (infant), Garland Wayne Cooper and son in law, William B. (Billy) Gay.

Mrs. Williams was a loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and sister. She was a life-long member of Elm Grove Baptist Church in Nashville where she served as the cradle roll Sunday school teacher for many years. She was known for her fried chicken, flour bread and homemade sweet potato pies. Her favorite holiday was Thanksgiving where she taught her granddaughters and great-granddaughter how to make her one of a kind turkey dressing. She loved roses and her favorite color was pink. She was employed at Star Furniture Company in Nashville until her retirement. She got bored after retirement and began working at Olan Mills as the appointment secretary until she was unable to work due to her health. She moved to the Covenant Homes where she enjoyed being independent and surrounded by many friends. Her great-granddaughter called her Gama at the ”partment” to distinguish her from her other Grandma.

She is survived by her daughter, JoAnn Williams Gay; granddaughters, Mandy and Brian Hayes, and Melanie and Brandon Thomas; great-granddaughter, Morgan Gay; sisters, Bettie Lou Cooper Joyner of Jacksonville, Florida, Nancy Cooper Langley, Judy Cooper Cockrell and husband James all of Rocky Mount; sisters-in-law, Pattie Williams Jenkins of Nashville, Tommie Williams Thompson of Rocky Mount and brother-in-law, Bruce A. Williams of Hendersonville, NC.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, June 28, 2008 from 10-11:00 a.m. at Proctor’s Chapel Baptist Church, 2917 Old Wilson Road, Rocky Mount. Funeral services will immediately follow the visitation at 11:00 a.m. with Dr. Walt Cooper officiating. Graveside services at Forest Hill Cemetery in Nashville, NC.

Flowers are welcome but contributions may be made to the Shriner’s Crippled Children’s Fund or the American Cancer Society.

The family would like to give special thanks to Dr. David Browder, Hospice of Nash General (special nurses: Lynn Bradshaw, Nancy Brinkley and Tess Williams); other special nurses, Loretta Richardson and Cynette Joyner, special companion Mary “Sis” Battle and Garry Hodges for those last special memories.

Arrangement by Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home, 1130 North Winstead Avenue, Rocky Mount, NC 27804. On-line condolences may be sent to the Williams’ family by visiting www.wheelerandwoodlief.com.

Paid obituary