Vanessa Dorothy Cooper Williams passed away unexpectedly at WakeMed Cary Hospital on Sunday morning, June 25, 2023 in Cary, North Carolina, at the age of 61.

Vanessa is survived by her beloved husband of 36 years, Eric Randall Williams, and her sons, Joshua Alexander Williams and Justin Blake Williams. They reside at their family home in Cary, North Carolina. She is also survived by her two sisters, Sylvia Cooper Gatewood and Anne Cooper Woolfolk from Virginia Beach, Virginia, along with two brothers in law, their families, and a host of nieces, nephews, and friends. She is preceded in death by her parents Clarence and Kathryn Cooper of Short Gap, West Virginia, and her Father and Mother-in-law, Reverend J.B. and Mrs. Irene Williams of Clifton Forge, Virginia.

Vanessa was born on October 10th, 1961, in Clifton Forge, Virginia to Clarence and Kathryn Cooper. She graduated Valedictorian from Clifton Forge High School in 1980. She later graduated from Radford University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Math and Computer Science, and went on to earn her Master’s degree in Biostatistics from The Medical College of Virginia in Richmond, Virginia. She married Eric Williams, her high school sweetheart, an Electrical Engineer in 1987. After moving to New Jersey and then to Cary, North Carolina, Vanessa worked for various pharmaceutical companies as a Principal Biostatistician. The couple welcomed two sons into their home, Joshua and Justin, and set about teaching them the love of the Lord. Her children remember her as a kind, gentle, patient, driven, and fun mother, who encouraged them to pursue their goals.

Vanessa enjoyed her baking, sewing, playing the piano, and keeping her boys straight. She also loved to spend time with her family, traveling together across the country for vacations, and enjoying movie nights almost every weekend. She was a generous, witty, dedicated, kindhearted individual who loved Jesus and her Family, and was passionate about the health and welfare of others. Growing up she was an active and dedicated member of the Clifton Forge First Baptist Church and often volunteered as a Sunday School and Bible School teacher. Vanessa also loved to get together with her friends from around the area and from the various pharmaceutical companies she had worked with, to see one another to catch up on old times.

Her funeral is scheduled for Friday July 7th at 11 AM, with a viewing to begin at 10 AM at Calvary Chapel of Cary, with a reception to be determined soon. Pastor Rodney Finch Sr. of Calvary Chapel of Cary will officiate the ceremony and Rev David Jones of Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church will give comments. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Vanessa’s life and transition to her eternal life with Our Lord.

Early in the morning you slipped away

Bound for Glory and there to stay

Tenderly God called that hour

For you to join His Heavenly Choir

The victory’s yours; you’ve won the race

We’ll not forget your smiling face

You will always be loved, needed, adored

But now our Master needs you more

-Anonymous

Condolences can be sent to https://tricefuneralhome.com/. Live Stream will be available the day of the service through the Calvary Chapel of Cary website, to view the service. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the American Heart Association, the Red Cross Association or St Jude. The family would like to thank everyone for their heartfelt prayers.

Burial: Greenlawn Memorial Gardens, 1621 NC 55 in Fuquay-Varina, NC 27526.