Genealogy Wylie » Annie Laurie Cox (1916-2003)

Personal data Annie Laurie Cox 

• She was born on January 22, 1916 in Tabor City, North Carolina.
• She died on November 9, 2003 in Wilmington, New Hanover County, North Carolina, she was 87 years old.
• A child of William Cleveland Cox and Delphine Elizabeth Cox
• This information was last updated on January 18, 2020.

Household of Annie Laurie Cox

She is married to Jeff Livingston Willard.

They got married in the year 1936, she was 19 years old.

Child(ren):

1. (Not public)
2. (Not public)

Notes about Annie Laurie Cox

Annie Laurie Cox Willard, 87, of Wilmington, NC, died at home on Sunday, November 9, 2003. Ann was born January 22, 1916, in Tabor City, North Carolina, to Delphine Elizabeth Cox and William Cleveland Cox Sr.
Ann graduated from Tabor City High School in 1933 and the James Walker Hospital School of Nursing, Class of 1936.
Ann married Jess Livingston Willard of Wilmington, North Carolina, in May, 1936, with whom she had two daughters, Mary Delphine Willard Swain and Gloria Jean Willard. Ann’s desire to sew beautiful clothes for her daughters developed her talent as a creative and skilled fashion designer and seamstress.
Ann’s love of flowers and plants was evident in her home gardens, which she designed and planted. Ann learned to graft and air layer many species of plants and shared her knowledge and her plants with all who visited her gardens. Ann organized the Chestnut Heights Garden Club in October 1951 and was the first president, and served in that capacity numerous times. Ann helped organize Echo Farms, Brookwood, Oakcrest, Whispering Pines and Azalea Garden Clubs and was a member of the Cape Fear Garden Club.
Ann developed an interest in horticulture and completed the course qualifications to become an accredited amateur flower show judge. Ann completed additional courses and symposiums and earned her Master flower show judge accreditation. Ann was an Emeritus Flower Show Judge.
Ann helped organize the Garden Council in 1950, held several offices in the Council, and served as its president in 1980-1981. Ann was a Life Member of the National Council of State Garden Clubs Inc.
In 1979, Ann organized the Ikebana International Wilmington Chapter 212 and served as its first president. Ann received an honorary membership to Ikebana International in appreciation for 22 years of outstanding and devoted service and leadership. In 1979-1985, Ann served on the Advisory and Planning Board to help establish the New Hanover County Arboretum, which opened in May, 1985.
Ann was a member of the First Baptist Church, 411 Market Street, Wilmington, for 67 years and served for more than 40 years on the Flower Committee. Ann arranged flowers for the church sanctuary and narthex for the Sunday services, Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas services and decorated for special church events.
Annie Laurie Cox Willard is survived by her daughters, Gloria Jean Willard and Mary Delphine Swain and husband Kenneth of Wilmington, NC, by four grandchildren, Kenneth B. Swain III of Lockbuie, Colorado; Jess Willard Swain of Dunn, NC, Delphine Swain Jenkins of Deltona, Florida; Annie Laurie Swain Stonestreet of Wilmington, NC; and 10 great-grandchildren.
Ann is also survived by her sisters, Carmel Cox Gore and Carolyn Cox Pollock of Tabor City, NC; Louise Cox Brockman of Greer, SC; Marguerite Cox Hardwick of Surf Side Beach, SC; Nina Cox Lane of Wilmington, NC; Roena Cox Vaught of Conway, SC; by one brother, William Cleveland Cox Jr. of Tabor City, NC; and by many nieces and nephews.
Ann was preceded in death by her husband, Jess Livingston Willard in January, 1989, and by her parents, William Cleveland Cox Sr. and Delphine Elizabeth Cox; and four sisters, Mable Cox Gore and Myrtle Cox Lane of Tabor City, NC; Dorothy Cox Skipper of Clyde, NC; and Virginia Cox Bryant of Wilmington, NC.
Funeral services will be conducted at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, November 13, 2003, at Coble Ward-Smith Funeral Home, Oleander Drive Chapel, Wilmington, NC. Burial will follow at Oakdale Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be David Barkley, Herman Bryant, Dykes Hewett, Hal Hilburn, Joe Palmer, Bennett Wilder, Jack Loughlin and James S. Williams. Honorary pallbearers will be the Deacons of the First Baptist Church.
Coble Ward-Smith, Oleander Drive Chapel.

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Timeline Annie Laurie Cox

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