Obituary of Virginia Cates Virginia Liner “Cookie” Cates – 90 died unexpectedly on December 15, 2018 in Hillsborough, NC. She was born in Cedar Grove, North Carolina on August 20, 1928. She grew up on a dairy farm and was the 4th child of Gaines and Lettie Liner.
She had three sisters and six brothers whom she deeply loved. She graduated from Efland High School where she was a standout basketball player and drove a school bus during World War II. Following the war she met and married the love of her life Marshal Luther Cates Jr of Hillsborough, NC.
Virginia and Marshal had five children. While raising five children Virginia ran C & R Furniture Store and later worked at Duke Medical Center for many years. Virginia and Marshal were always deeply devoted to Hillsborough United Methodist Church as well as the Exchange Club.
Cookie loved cooking Sunday dinners for her family. Everyone was welcome in her house and at her table. She loved art class and especially her classmates.
She was always active and had a great zest for life She is survived by daughter Carolyn Cates of Hillsborough, daughter Marsha Stanley (Lew) of Hillsborough, son Marshal Luther “Sandy” Cates III (Nancy) of Hillsborough, daughter Kathryn Cates-Wessel (Gary) of Providence, RI and son David Cates (Nancy) of Hillsborough. Her grandchildren whom she loved and adored are Travis Braxton (Lesia) of Hillsborough, Truitt Stanley, Melissa Stanley Harrison (Jez) of Whitby, UK, Marshal Luther Cates IV of League City, TX, Shelby Cates of Tempe, AZ, Chandler Cates-Wessel of New York City, NY, Cameron Wessel of Providence, RI, Cooper Wessel of Providence, RI, Madison Ward Cates (Carly) of Gainesville,FL and Claire Cates of Durham, NC. Additionally she is survived by her sister Margaret Clark of Hillsborough, Frank Liner of High Point, Hugh Liner (Mary) of Raleigh, Lois Pantazis of Hillsborough, James Liner (Doris) of Hillsborough, Helen Joseph of Greensboro, Gaines Liner (Sherry) of Waxhaw, NC, and David Liner (Marilyn) of Efland.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Gaines Fitzhugh Liner and Lettie Thompson Liner, her brother Gordon Liner and her husband Marshal Luther Cates Jr. The funeral will be conducted at 2:00 PM on Saturday, December 22 at Hillsborough United Methodist Church in Hillsborough with Pastor Cameron Merrill, Pastor S.T. Kimbrough and Pastor Al Horne officiating. The family will receive friends in the fellowship hall following the service. She will be buried in a private family service prior to the funeral.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hillsborough United Methodist Church, 130 W Tryon St, Hillsborough, NC 27278 or Hillsborough Exchange Club Program for the prevention of child abuse, PO Box 565 Hillsborough, NC 27278 The family greatly appreciates all the love, appreciation, thoughts, food and prayers provided by everyone. The Cates family is under the care of Walker’s Funeral Home of Hillsborough.
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