White Sulphur Springs-Annie Leah Swann Cooley, 87, died at her home on Saturday morning, Feb. 13, 2016. She laid down just to rest on Friday and woke on Saturday to her eternal rest.
Annie was born July 12, 1928, in White Sulphur Springs to James Nelson and Annie Chambers Swann.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Julian; two brothers, James and John; and two sisters, Pearl Carter and Frances Campbell.
Annie attended Bethune School in White Sulphur Springs, Bolling High School in Lewisburg and West Virginia State College in Institute. She was a former member of St. James United Methodist Church in White Sulphur Springs.
She retired from The Greenbrier after 24 years in dining services. Prior to that, she worked for the Mary Chess Fragrance Shop, also at The Greenbrier Hotel.
She made her debut into her calling later in life when her family and job no longer demanded her time. Annie joined the Emmanuel United Methodist Church over 25 years ago; a church she loved and served in every capacity she could. She worked and won the hearts of everyone In and outside the church, Annie was a faithful attendee of the weekly healing service at the St. Thomas Episcopal Church. Both the clergy and laity were soon under her wing. Annie remained the “Belle of the Ball” until she drew her last breath.
Left to celebrate and cherish a life well lived are: her children, Julian of Teays Valley, Milton (Raula) of Smith Mountain Lake, VA, Jewel (Gary) Cooper of Charleston, Toni Cooley of White Sulphur Springs; and her four-legged caregiver, Sadie; nine grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; two sisters, Grace (Lorenza) Childress of New Paltz, NY, Barbara (Shag) Wooding of White Sulphur Springs; two sisters-in-law, Neva Gordon of Lewisburg and Marie Leftwich of White Sulphur Springs; and a host of nieces, nephews, family and friends.
The services will be held at Emmanuel United Methodist Church in White Sulphur Springs on Saturday, Feb. 20, at 1 p.m. with Pastor Shari Stilgenbauer officiating. The family will receive friends from 11:30 a.m. until 1 p.m. Burial will be in Rosewood Cemetery in Lewisburg.
Shanklin Funeral Home, White Sulphur Springs, is serving the family.