Gretchen Cozart

WILSON - Gretchen Jones Grantham Cozart died on April 16, 2016.

A memorial service will be held at the First United Methodist Church, 100 Green Street, Wilson at 11:00 am on Tuesday, April 19, 2016, with burial to follow at Maplewood Cemetery, Wilson. The family will receive friends at home at 900 West Nash Street in Wilson, and at the cemetery following the service.

She was born October 26, 1917, in Kinston, North Carolina, the daughter of the late Marguerite Wallace Jones and Raymond D. Jones. She was predeceased by her first husband, Captain James Edwin Grantham, who was killed in the Battle of the Bulge on January 10, 1945. Her husband of 56 years, Sydnor Moye "Zeke" Cozart, died on January 9, 2004. She loved her family and treasured her many friends.

Gretchen was a remarkable person, and she enjoyed a full and happy life for 98 years. She was spirited and genteel, always the consummate lady. An avid gardener, Gretchen's home was always filled with beautiful flowers and plantings from her garden. She enjoyed sharing her flowers with others, and she always had a special interest in wildflowers.

Gretchen was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Wilson. She was a longtime director of the North Carolina Botanical Garden Foundation and she remained an honorary director until her death. She served as treasurer of the North Carolina Wildflower Preservation Society and also served on the boards of the United Way of Wilson County, the Salvation Army, and the Wilson Crisis Center.


She is survived by four children and their spouses: Gene G. Foster of Winston-Salem; Gail C. Williams and husband, Sam C. Williams, of Beaufort, Thomas A. Cozart and wife, Sallie N. Cozart, of Wilson, and Sydnor C. Presnell and husband, Lacy M. Presnell, III, of Raleigh. She is also survived by 12 grandchildren, William D. Foster, Jr. and wife, Kathy, Gail Foster Jessup and husband, Marc, Tate Foster and husband, Joe Partsch, Bradley C. Williams and wife, Allison, Sydnor Williams Greene, Thomas A. Cozart, Jr., C. Whitt Cozart and wife, Mollie, Neal Whitehead Goodwin and husband, Bill, L. Graham Whitehead, III and wife, Wortley, L. Stuart Presnell and wife Meghan, Gretchen Presnell Hyde and husband John, Tyson C. Presnell and 18 great- grandchildren. She is also survived by a sister, Marguerite Thompson of Raleigh and brother, Freddie Jones of Wilmington.

The family is especially grateful for the special care and friendship of Louise Harrell, Sherby White, and Juanita Vernelson.

The family suggests that in lieu of flowers those who wish to make memorial contributions send them to the North Carolina Botanical Garden, CB 3375, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, First United Methodist Church, PO Box 1423, Wilson, NC 27894, The Salvation Army, PO Box 96, Wilson, NC 27894 or Barton College, PO Box 5000, Wilson, NC 27893.