Elizabeth Cooley

1934 - 2021

Elizabeth "Beth" Cooley
October 17, 1934 - February 21, 2021
Hendersonville, North Carolina - Elizabeth "Beth" Folline Cooley died peacefully at her home in Hendersonville, North Carolina on Sunday, February 21. She was surrounded by the people and the things she loved most in this world, her family, her art, and her books.
Beth was born in Columbia, SC on October 17, 1934. She was the daughter of Allen Gantt Folline, and Mary Deas Read Folline. She graduated from Dreher High School, and then attended the University of South Carolina where she graduated with degrees in art and education. Later Beth returned to the University of South Carolina where she earned her master's degree in education. She was fascinated with Japanese and Egyptian culture and was lucky enough to be able to experience both through her travels.
While living in Columbia, Beth was an active member of the Columbia Junior League, and Trinity Episcopal Cathedral. She later moved to Spartanburg where she was the Director of Admissions at Converse College.
Beth was married to Quay Alexander Williford, Jr., and had five children through that marriage. She later married David W. Cooley and welcomed Dave's four additional children into the family. Beth and Dave moved to Memphis, Tennessee for a period of time before returning to Dave's native Hendersonville in 1996. She enjoyed painting, gardening, yoga, and spending time with family, especially during family vacations at Pawley's Island.
Beth was predeceased by her brother, Allen Gantt Folline, Jr.
Surviving are her husband, David W. Cooley, daughter Catherine Deas Williford and her husband Jim Scott of Lexington, SC; sons Quay Alexander Williford III and his wife Vicki of Honey Brook, Pa., Charles Folline Williford and his wife Debbie of Greenville, SC, Robert Read Williford and his wife Amy of Hendersonville, NC, and Kelley Segars Williford of Memphis, Tenn.; grandchildren Katherine Ann Mallinger and her husband Rhys of Charleston, SC, Read Thomas Williford of Greenville, SC, Brynn Lee Bechtold and her husband Kevin of West Chester, Pa., Folline Meyer Williford, and Quay Alexander Williford of Hendersonville, NC., Jessica Courtney Sparkman and her husband Mac of Greenville, SC; great grandsons Jackson Charles Mallinger and Harrison Thomas Mallinger of Charleston, SC, and Vaun Vincent Bechtold of West Chester, Pa.; great granddaughter Madeline McGee Sparkman of Greenville, SC; 3 - Nieces and 3 – Nephews.
Also surviving are her sister Mary Folline Morris of Towson, Md., sister in law Fay Harvard Folline of Columbia, SC; the children she welcomed though her marriage to Dave; Ann Cooley Ferrell and her husband Steve of Newport News, Va., John C. Cooley and his wife MaryAnn of Richmond, Va., Philip E. Cooley and his wife Tonya of Radford, Va., Matthew D. Cooley and his wife Kara of Nashville, Tenn.; 7-grandchildren – 6-great grandchildren.
The family requests any donations be made to the St. Joseph's Indian School, 1301 N. Main St., Chamberlain, SD 57325. www.stjo.org. Condolences may be shared at www.forestlawnhendersonville.com