With deepest sorrow we at Henryhand Funeral Home regret to announce the passing of Lillian Cooper, 85, of Brooklyn, NY, formerly of Kingstree, SC, widow of Willie Gray, who passed away on Sunday, July 21, 2024.

Life Reflections

Lillian Cooper was born and raised in Kingstree, South Carolina, on February 28th, 1939 to the late Ms. Louise Evans and Mr. Frank Cooper. Ms. Cooper was born and raised in Williamsburg County.

She received her formal education in the public schools of Williamsburg County.

Ms. Cooper gave her life to Christ at an early age and began attending St. John A.M.E. Church as a child.

Ms. Lillian Cooper was one of six children. Five siblings preceded her in death: Mrs. Patricia McCrea of Kingstree, Mrs. Margaret Brockington of Manning SC, Mr. Frank Cooper of Kingstree, SC, Ms. Georgia Mae Cooper and Mr. Richard Cooper. One sibling is left to cherish her memory, Johnny Cooper of New Zion, SC.

Ms. Cooper was married to the late Wilber Burgess in South Carolina and had one son, Wilber Burgess (Joe) of Kingstree, SC, who passed away in 2020.

After becoming widowed, Ms. Cooper relocated to New York City to work a sleep in job. She married Willie Gray, Sr. in NYC and she had five children.; three of her children have preceded her in death, Lisa Gray, Jacqueline Gray and Barry Gray all of Brooklyn, New York. Five children are left to cherish her memory: Diane Gray of Long Island, NY, Willie Gray and Emony Clough both of Brooklyn, NY, Danay Gray of North Carolina, and Christopher Gray of Brooklyn, NY.

Ms. Cooper mainly worked as a housekeeper. Ms. Cooper played a very active role in the upbringing of all of her grandchildren. She selflessly helped raise her grandchildren, Anthony Gray, Danay Olivia Gray, Lacie Gray, Lance Gray, Darnell Gray, Derrick Gray, Dominique Gray, Alyhia Gray, and solely raised her granddaughter, Emony Clough after the death of her daughter, Jacqueline Gray. Ms. Cooper was affectionately called "Nana" by her grandchildren.

Those left to cherish her memory are: her children, Diane Gray, Willie Gray, Emony Clough, Anthony Gray and Danay Olivia Gray; her grandchildren, Lacie Gray, Lance Gray, Darnell Gray, Derrick Gray, Angelica Burgess and Marquis Gray; her best friend, Marjorie Burgess; a special cousin, Ruth Pressley; nieces, Barbara McCrea, Charlisa McCrea, Lakefhia McCrea, Felicia McCrea and Sabrina McKenzie all of Kingstree, SC and Lakeshia McKenzie of Greenville, SC; nephew, Charles (Vanessa) Cooper of Kingstree, SC; a brother, Johnny Cooper of New Zion, SC;  great grandchildren, Amare Foxe, Mauricio Johnson Jr., Mason Gray, and Sanai Gray; daughters-in-law, Michele Lipscomb of Brooklyn, NY and Linda Burgess of Kingstree, SC; sons-in-law, Andre Robertson of Brooklyn, NY, Erick Jackson of Long Island, NY and Damon Lawrence of New Jersey; a special niece-in-law, Mary-Alice Cooper; close family friends, Leola and Hassan Green of Brooklyn, NY; along with a host of other family members and friends.

Ms. Cooper passed away on Sunday, July 21st 2024 at the Mount Sinai Medical Center in Manhattan, New York.

Even though Ms. Cooper relocated and moved to New York City, she made recurring and routine trips back to South Carolina every year to visit family and allow family members to know and grow up with each other. Ms. Cooper moved to New York City and settled in Brooklyn, New York where she resided for most of her life while in NY. Ms. Cooper was the first to help in any and every situation. She was a prayer warrior whose faith in Christ remained strong.

The family is receiving friends and family at 64 Antioch Drive, Kingstree, SC.

All arrangements and professional services have been entrusted to Henryhand Funeral Home of Kingstree, SC. 843-354-2292.