Deaconess Lizzie Mae (Cooper) Wilkerson

Deaconess Lizzie Mae Cooper Wilkerson, age 101 of Red Springs, North Carolina 

Lizzie Mae Cooper was born into the Christian home of Delia and Reverend C.J. Cooper on January 3, 1921. She was 1 of the 12 children born to that union.

Lizzie Mae lived a life of exemplary caliber and was a blessing to all who had the privilege to know her.  There is the commonality of a Centenarian of religious beliefs and devotion to God, who gives and who taketh away. Ms. Lizzie Mae was known as a devoted servant to her church and her community. A pillar that through all the changes in diversity, equal rights in education and voting, and technological advances, Ms. Lizzie Mae stood, she stood when she couldn’t stand anymore.  And although her health failed, she never lost her strength of community, and the ability to be that pillar.  She taught us well with her resilience to aging, her resilience against all odds.  She held steadfast to her faith, and God held steadfast to His faithful servant, until that evening in May when He called her home.

 Lizzie Mae was educated at Peterson School and soon after, began working in the school’s cafeteria under the tutelage of the late Mrs. Lillie Baldwin.  Lizzie Mae’s mission was to help make sure every child that came through the line had “at least one good meal”, during those tough times, however, it was at Red Springs’ Head Start Center that she touched the hearts and stomachs of practically every youth in the town of Red Springs.  During her 30 years of employment at Head Start, Lizzie would proudly say “I’m sure I’ve fed every child in this town at one time or another!”

Lizzie Mae has been a life-long member of Jones Chapel Missionary Baptist Church.  She served in many capacities within the church. She served as a Deaconess with her late husband, Deacon Eddie Boyd Wilkerson and continued in that capacity for almost 70 years. She served on the Senior Usher Board and the Gospel Lights Choir for over 33 years. She was an advisor for the Young Adult Choir, which later evolved into the Adult Choir of which she used her gift of Psalmody.  Lizzie Mae was the last original member of the renowned Jones Chapel Trumpeteers Quintet of which she boosted as a founding member with Mrs. Mary C. Patterson, Mrs. Julia Shaw and Mrs. Martha P. Flowers and Mrs. Veorah Mack.  Lizzie Mae was also a proud and faithful member of the Red Springs Gleaners Chapter #382 Order of Eastern Star, PHA for 70 years.

Lizzie Mae was married to the late Eddie Boyd Wilkerson for 53 years.  Through this union was born one daughter, Carolyn Wilkerson Peterkin who preceded Lizzie Mae in death.

Lizzie Mae “Granny” leaves to cherish her memory three grandchildren: Dr. Darryl Peterkin (Antoinette) of Baltimore, MD; Paula White (Ellis) of Glen Allen, VA; and LaVelle Peterkin (LaShondra) of Zebulon, NC; and four great-grandchildren: Luke, Spenser, Justice and Jaci. One very special adopted daughter/cousin, Lisa Ann Ferguson of the home, and one adopted son, Ernest McDougald, Jr., (Carnetta), of Red Springs, NC. Aunt Lizzie Mae also leaves eleven nieces and nephews:  Arthur Cooper (Marjorie) of Flowery Branch, GA; Louis Cooper of Largo, MD;  Gloria Jean Cooper of Washington, DC; James Cooper (Shirley) and Jerome Cooper of Upper Marlboro, MD; Gwendolyn Evans (Samuel) and Ronald Cooper (Rita) of Bowie, MD; Tangela Cooper of Bowie MD; Tangela Simpson (David) of Atlanta, GA; Christopher Cooper of MD and Rev. Claudia Starks (Charles) of Atlanta, GA. Cousin Lizzie Mae also leaves a great number of loving cousins including her “long-time cuz” Rev. Sylvester Chambers (Geraldine) of Baltimore, MD; and other relatives and friends.

Special long-term caregivers, and friends, Lisa Ann Ferguson, Lora Cummings, Nikki McLean, Lucille Locklear, Constance Barton, Jennifer Cobb, Dorothy Sheridan, Heather Locklear, Dazza Mack, Linda Ross, Leticia Stanley, Michelle Dial RN, Mayor Edward and Fran Henderson, Deacon Virgil and Deaconess Bert Hutchinson and Southeastern Behavioral Homecare and her healthcare aides. 

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