July 4, 1924 ~ August 5, 2022
Irene Catherine Cooper Hackney, age 98, of Pittsboro, died Friday, August 5, 2022, at Parkview Health & Rehabilitation in Chapel Hill.
Irene was born July 4, 1924, in Pittsboro, to the late Lonnie Cooper and Lillie Smith Cooper. She was also preceded in death by her son: Kenneth Hackney and three brothers: Lonnie Cooper, Lloyd Cooper, and James Cooper. She grew up in a farming family where she learned the value of hard work in harvesting vegetables, picking cotton, and feeding the animals. As a child, she had a special lamb who followed her everywhere.
She graduated from Pittsboro High School in 1942. On July 12, 1951, she married the love of her life, Eva Hackney Jr., and shared 66 precious years until his death on December 23, 2017. Irene found true joy in both work and play. She enjoyed beach trips, mountain visits, and family birthday and holiday celebrations. Irene worked in textiles for over 35 years, first at Carrboro Woolen Mill and then Chatham Mills. After retirement, she enjoyed working in her flower and vegetable garden as well as reading. Irene loved and was an active member of Rock Spring Baptist Church until her declining health.
Besides her church, her greatest love and devotion was to her family. She is survived by two daughters Barbara McMasters and husband Joe, and Linda Glosson. She is also blessed with three granddaughters, Gina Thompson and husband Shawn, Allison McMasters, Candice Griffin, and husband Cody; one grandson, Joshua Glosson, and one great-grandson, Trey Thompson. Irene enjoyed cooking chicken and dumplings, fried chicken, potato salad, deviled eggs, biscuits, pound cake, and other goodies that her family loved.
Irene has lived in Pittsboro all her life, residing at two homes off Hwy. 15-501. After she broke her hip in 2018, she could no longer live at home. She then became a resident at Cambridge Hills Assisted Living.
The family would like to express their gratitude and appreciation to Cambridge Hills Assisted Living, Parkview Health & Rehabilitation and Liberty Hospice for their loving care and support to Irene and the attention by the wonderful staff.
The funeral service was held Monday, August 8, 2022, at 11 a.m. at Rock Spring Baptist Church with Pastor Wesley Thomas presiding. Burial followed in the church cemetery. The family received friends immediately following the committal service in the church fellowship hall.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to be made in Irene’s memory to Liberty Homecare & Hospice Services, 3414 N. Duke St. Suite G, Durham, N.C. 27704 and Rock Spring Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, 82 Launis Street, Pittsboro, N.C. 27312.
Condolences may be made at www.donaldsonfunerals.com.
Donaldson Funeral Home & Crematory is honored to serve the Hackney family.