Mrs. Essie Campbell Cooper Faircloth, 100

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. Essie Faircloth of Myrtle Beach, S.C., 100, passed away peacefully at Myrtle Beach Manor on January 18. Essie was born in North Carolina to James Cooper and Georgia Anna Williford. After attending Meredith College in Raleigh, N.C., she married Jasper Keith "Jack" Faircloth. Together they raised seven children in Salemburg, N.C., and spent many happy hours in Holden Beach, N.C. She retired in the 1980s from the N.C. Department of Social Services, and she and Jack celebrated fifty years of marriage in 1989. Essie was always a very active member of Salemburg Baptist Church, as well as traveling with the Sampson County Extension. Essie relocated to Eagle Crest retirement village in Myrtle Beach in 2008. Essie, who greeted everyone she met as a friend, had a loving heart and was always caring for others. We are so proud of her and so inspired by her courage, persistence, and indomitable spirit in the face of increasing pain and disability as she aged. We are in awe of her gift for making friends, for rolling with the punches, and for always looking forward to the next good thing. We will miss her intensely. Essie was preceded in death by her husband, Jack Faircloth; and sons, Charles Donald and William Truett. She leaves her loving memories to be cherished by her children, Barbara Holland (Anglo) of Goldsboro, N.C., Jimmie Faircloth (Annis) of Kenansville, N.C., Rebecca Rivers (John) of Myrtle Beach, S.C., Mary Sue Fallin (Ken) of Goldsboro, N.C., and Jerry Faircloth (Lynn) of Salemburg, N.C.; nine grandchildren, Scott Bowers, Ashley Faircloth, Karen Perry, Alecia Harper, Keny Fallin, Brooke Faircloth, Cynthia Dupuy, Leigh Ann Averett, and Amy Lauren Gainey; 23 great grandchildren and three great-great grandchildren. Essie will be missed beyond measure. A celebration of life service will be held at 11:00 A.M. Wednesday, January 21 at Salemburg Baptist Church, 300 N. Main Street, Salemburg. The family will receive friends following the service at Salemburg Baptist Church Family Life Center. Arrangements entrusted to Butler Funeral Home, 401 W. Roseboro Street, Roseboro.~ Visitation ~ Salemburg Baptist Church Family Life Center Wednesday, following the service ~ Funeral ~ Salemburg Baptist Church Wednesday, January 21 11:00 A.M. ~ Interment ~ Salemburg Cemetery Salemburg, N.C.