Kathleen Julia Cooke Royal

Kathleen was born in Julian, NC on February 13, 1921, the daughter of Thomas W. Cooke and Lettie Freeman Cooke both of Greensboro, NC. She worked as a telephone operator in Greensboro while her husband served in the US Army during WWII. After the war, they moved to Raleigh, where she lived for 65 years.

Kathleen was a kind and generous mother who lived her life with grace, strength and beauty toward others. She adored her grandchildren. Her joys were round dancing, square dancing, flowers, UNC sports and attending live performances at Memorial Auditorium. She enjoyed many happy hours with her dear friend, Denise Shelton and the other ladies at La Libra Salon. Kathleen was a member of Highland United Methodist Church. The family would like to thank the staff at Rex Hospital, especially 3 West, for the loving care they provided, and Dr. Bruce W. Usher, Jr., for all of the love, support and care he provided Mom.

She is survived by her son, Robert Walter Royal and wife, Virginia Kauffmann Royal of Raleigh, her daughter, Cynthia Royal Mahan and husband, Michael Mahan of Winston-Salem, nieces Susan Smith Barrett of Owings, Maryland, Bonnie Kinsey of Lemont, Florida, and Emily Cooke of Summerfield, NC, and grandchildren Catherine Michelle Royal, Lauren Alexandra Royal and Ashley Elizabeth Royal of Raleigh, and Brian Davis Mahan and John Michael Mahan of Winston-Salem.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Davis Royal, her parents, Thomas W. Cooke, Sr. and Lettie S. Cooke of Greensboro, her sisters Margaret C. Sachman of Silver Springs, Maryland and Lois C. Burns and her brother, Thomas W. Cooke, Jr. of Greensboro.

Funeral services will be held at 11AM, Thursday, December 30, 2010, at Highland United Methodist Church. Interment will follow at Montlawn Memorial Park.

The family will receive friends Wednesday, 4-6PM, at Brown-Wynne Funeral Home, 300 St. Mary’s Street.

Flowers are appreciated or memorial contributions may be made to Highland United Methodist Church, 1901 Ridge Road, Raleigh, NC 27607.

Condolences may be sent to www.brownwynne.com.