Joyce Holder Cooper

Raleigh – Joyce Holder Cooper, 88, passed away peacefully on Friday, August 28th at Transitions Hospice Care of Raleigh. She was born in Wake County to the late James Lemuel “Bud” and Nancy Lottie Holder. She was married to Andrew Jackson “June” Cooper and together they had three children: Steve, Tom and Linda. Joyce was an active member of Ebenezer United Methodist Church her entire life and cherished the many family and friends that she had there. During her life she worked at First Federal Savings and Loan in Raleigh, was an assistant kindergarten teacher at Garner Elementary School and was an active volunteer during her later years at Garner Area Ministries, serving as a director for many years. In addition to her parents, Joyce is preceded in death by her husband, Andrew “June” Cooper, her son, Thomas Wayne Cooper, her brother, Leonard Holder, and her sister, Audrey Green. She is survived by her son, Steven Douglas Cooper and wife, Susan of Raleigh, her daughter, Linda Cooper Cooley and husband, Chris of Charlotte; four grandchildren, Joshua Cooper (Nikki), Carey Cooper (TJ), Nicholas Cooley, Benjamin Cooley; five great-grandchildren, Andrew Cooper, Mackenzie Cooper, Kaitlyn Cooper, Sophia Dube, Madilyn Dube; her sister, Judy Bishop and many cherished nieces and nephews. A private family service will be held at Ebenezer United Methodist Church, Sunday at 2:00 pm with a public graveside service to follow. The service will be streamed by the church for others to view on Facebook at Ebenezer UMC Raleigh. Mrs. Cooper will lie in state from 4-8:00 pm Saturday at Bryan-Lee Funeral Home in Garner for those wishing to pay their respects. Due to the Corona virus pandemic, the family will not be receiving visitors. The family would like to thank the many caring people at Transitions Hospice for the loving care and support they gave her and the family during the last days of her life. In lieu of flowers, the family encourages donations to Garner Area Ministries or Ebenezer United Methodist Church.