Mary Cooke “T. Cooke” Williford, died on Friday, January 20, 2012,
at Elmcroft of Northridge in Raleigh, North Carolina.
T. Cooke was born July 31, 1921 in Bertie County, North Carolina, to the late Thurman Cherry and Mary Cooke Williford. She attended Peace College, and graduated from Meredith College in Raleigh, North Carolina. After graduation she followed in her mother’s footsteps and became an
educator, teaching primary school in Windsor, Aulander, and Ahoskie, North Carolina.
After retirement, T. Cooke, joined by family and friends, enjoyed traveling to many places including Canada, South America, and several trips to Europe. She was involved in the Aulander Civic League and a member of Aulander Baptist Church. T. enjoyed playing bridge, was well-accomplish at needlepoint, a superb cook, enjoyed fishing, and social outings.
T. Cooke was predeceased by her cousins Pauline S. Tayloe, Dr. Jacob Ernest Cooke, Margaret Cooke Miller and husband Dr. I. B. Miller, and Ira Ben Miller Jr.
She is survived by her cousins Florence Cooke Eddy and her husband Elmer of Trenton, North Carolina, Ruth M. Cooke of Louisburg, North Carolina, Jean Gordon Cooke, wife of the late Dr. J. E Cooke of Lyme, New Hampshire, Sarah Foster of Louisburg, North Carolina, Peggy Miller Holbrook and family of High Point, North Carolina and Seattle, Washington, Pat Miller Howell and her husband Larry and family of Durham, North Carolina, John Eddy and his wife Susan and family of Trenton, North Carolina, Jake Cooke, and his wife Liz and family of Lyme, New Hampshire, Lauren L. Miller and Jacqui H. Miller, wife of the late I. B. Miller Jr. of High Point, North Carolina. She is also survived by her miniature poodle, Beau, now living with Pat Miller Howell and family.
Ms. Williford taught for my father at the Ahoskie Graded School. She was my fourth grade teacher and was always one of my favorites. I’ll never forget her or the way she handled telling us that JFK had been shot. I always thought she was so cool when I was a kid. As an adult, I knew she was a special lady. Although it was not very often, I always enjoyed seeing her. RIP
Going to miss u alot..
“T Cooke” is a name that stands out just as she did. I guess i’ve always known her but never thought much about what part she played in getting most of the children who lived in and around Aulander raised as responseable adults. Thank you “T Cooke” for being one of Aulanders shinning faces.