Jo Ann Cobb Williams

Jo Ann Cobb Williams, 74, of Pagetown Road, Elon, passed away on Thursday, June 29, 2023 at her home after her courageous battle with cancer.

Jo Ann was born on January 6, 1949 to Mozell Page Cobb and Charlie Hughes Cobb. She grew up in “Pagetown” amongst a slew of family. She graduated from Bartlett Yancey High School in Yanceyville in 1966. She met the love of her life, Larry, at Jake’s Barbeque, a popular hangout, in Burlington in the late sixties. Upon Larry’s return from the Army, she and Larry married on June 27, 1970. They made their home in the close knit community on Pagetown Road as well. For the majority of life she was a legal secretary and worked for R. Lee Farmer and Stuart N. Watlington in Yanceyville. She also worked in textiles early in life and most recently at Merle Norman in Burlington.

She was such a happy and easy going person. She was always smiling, which earned her the nickname “Sunshine.” She could tell so much about a person just by a first impression. She loved inviting you into her home and didn’t want you to leave until you had something to eat. She taught her children and grandchildren good ole’ country morals and values that she expected them to follow throughout their lives. She always said that you can’t change people. You have to do the right thing and don’t worry about the things they do because you will have to answer for what you do. She was forgiving and never held a grudge. She was a selfless person. She always put others ahead of herself, especially her children and grandchildren. She loved God and her church and tried to live her life by what she studied in the Bible and heard during preaching. 

During her younger years, she loved playing softball. She once earned MVP for her team. She had a knack for arranging flowers and painting. Her favorite place to travel was the beach and loved for extended family and friends to join her there. Shopping was a hobby and she could stay out from sun up to sun down. She loved making sure her hair was "fixed right" and never stepped a foot outside without her makeup on and glossy pink lipstick! 

She is survived by her husband of 53 years, Larry J. Williams of the home; her son, Heath and wife Bobbi Jean of Burlington; her daughter, Nikki Cole and husband, Denny Cole of Elon; granddaughter, Heather Williams; grandsons Hayden Williams, Jackson Cole, Hudson Williams and Jake Cole; stepson Jai Williams and wife Pam of High Point; stepgrandsons Trey Williams and wife Leslie of Mebane, Josh Williams and Chris Williams; sister, Carol Belton and husband, Richard of Burlington; and many wonderful nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and neighbors. She is preceded in death by her parents.

The family would like to thank the many family, friends and neighbors who added memories, created stories and shared good times throughout the years. There were many beach trips, get togethers “at the shop”, family reunions and shopping trips that brought her happiness and precious memories.

The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday evening at Lowe Funeral Home in Burlington. The funeral service will be held at 2 p.m., on Sunday, July 2, 2023 at Bush Arbor Primitive Baptist Church (101 Cherry Grove Road, Yanceyville) by Pastor Darrell Massey. There will be graveside service following the service. The Williams Family will be at the home on Pagetown Road following the burial on Sunday. Please feel free to come by to visit and eat. 

If you would like, memorials may be made to Authoracare Collective - Burlington Campus (Hospice) at 914 Chapel Hill Road, Burlington, NC 27217 or Bush Arbor Primitive Baptist Church at c/o Susan Newcomb, 900 Oakview Loop Road, Yanceyville, NC 27379. Please feel free to sign the online registry book at www.lowefuneralhome.com.