Annie Laurie Williamson Cole

WINSTON-SALEM--Annie Laurie Williamson Cole, 95, passed away on April 14th, 2013 after a long, full, amazing life. Born in Clarksville, VA, or ‘God's Country' as she liked to call it, on Aug 10th, 1917, she, her 2 sisters and one brother, began their lifelong journey with loving parents whom she adored. Always a faithful churchgoer, Annie Laurie met her future husband, Thomas Cole, at a church social, where they both volunteered with the youth group. WWII intervened, and Annie Laurie went on to graduate from business school, become a war bride in 1943, and rose thru the ranks at work to become secretary to the president of Durham Life in Raleigh, NC. Moving frequently with her husband, Annie Laurie eventually left God's Country to become a Midwesterner for 17 years, residing in Lincolnshire, Il where she was very active in Deerfield's First Presbyterian Church, founding the ‘Friendlies' (a volunteer office corps), the Quester's Couples Club, and making life-long friends. Life brought this southern gal and her husband back to the south, to Winston-Salem, NC, in 1981. Eight years after losing her husband, she joined her daughter and family as a part of their home in 2003. Annie Laurie loved to travel with her family, and has been to all 50 states (yes, including Alaska and Hawaii), Mexico, Canada, Bermuda, 12 countries in Europe, Ireland, the Caribbean, and Jamaica; including 4 cruises. Taking in Washington, DC and New York City at age 86 and 87 respectively was a feat that only Annie Laurie could have undertaken with style. Her favorite destination however, was wherever she could watch her family, particularly at the beach, playing in the sand and water. Continuing to drive until she was 93, she volunteered at Forsyth Hospital, played bridge in several bridge groups of phenomenal friends, and was active in her church. Called ‘the Energizer Bunny' by her family, she would take the knocks that life gave her, pick herself up and just keep on going. Preceded in death by her parents, Wesley and Etta Williamson, her brother John Alden Williamson, sister Christine Williamson Marlowe and beloved husband of 52 years, Thomas Hugh Cole; Annie Laurie is survived by her only child, Katherine Cole Frantz, who always knew that her mother had her back; her son-in-law Chris Frantz who was her backbone and mainstay in her final years; and her granddaughter LauraBeth Frantz whom she loved more than anything in this world. She is also survived by her sister, Doris Williamson Jones - a bond that death cannot break; as well as her brother-in-law Lewis Jones, whose devotion to her was unending. She moves on to join those loved ones in heaven who have gone on before her, but there will be a huge hole in our home, our lives and our hearts here on earth. Love ya, Momma! We'll miss you! Save a place for us! Special thanks to Hospice, West Team and Dr. William Smith. A funeral service will be conducted at 2:00 PM on Friday, April 19, 2013 at Mt. Tabor United Methodist Church with Pastor Mark Key and Pastor Gary Mahathey officiating. Burial will follow at Forsyth Memorial Park. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the church. In lieu of flowers, Annie Laurie requested donations be made to ‘Higher Ground' at Mt Tabor United Methodist Church, 3543 Robinhood Rd., Winston-Salem, NC 27106 or Hospice and Palliative Care of Forsyth County, 101 Hospice Ln., Winston-Salem, NC 27103. Online condolences may be made at www.hayworth-miller.com.

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