Mary Angelina Cooper Huggins

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With heavy hearts and endless love, we announce the peaceful passing of our beloved mother, Mary Angelina Cooper Huggins, who left this world in her sleep on June 2, 2025, at the age of 71. She passed after a courageous 10-month private battle with bile duct cancer, with her children—Marie, Crystal, son-in-law Andrew, and grandson David—lovingly by her side every step of the way.

Born in 1953 in Brooklyn, New York, to Boncie Freedoney McMurray Cooper and William Cooper, Mary lived a life marked by faith, humility, and quiet strength. She was the first in her family to earn both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree—an extraordinary achievement that reflected her determination, intellect, and commitment to growth.

Professionally, Mary served the state of North Carolina for over 20 years as a Disability Examiner and Processing Assistant with the NC Disability Determination Services. Her work was marked by precision, compassion, and an unwavering commitment to excellence. She received multiple awards throughout her career for her outstanding service. Mary humbly touched countless lives through her diligence and empathy, embodying her belief that every person deserves to be treated with dignity and fairness.

Mary was a devoted mother to her daughters, Marie and Crystal, and in recent years, stepped into the cherished role of grandmother to baby David—a role that brought her indescribable joy. She nurtured with gentleness and protected with quiet fierceness. Her love was constant, her presence grounding, and her absence will be profoundly felt.

Her Christian faith was central to her identity. Mary lived a life of prayer, service, and integrity—always choosing kindness, even in difficulty. Her spirit radiated peace, and her humility allowed her to uplift others without ever seeking recognition.

She had a brilliant mind and sharp wit. Mary loved the challenge of crossword puzzles and the nightly ritual of Wheel of Fortune. Her evenings often included ABC News with David Muir, and her taste in entertainment reflected her curiosity and love of storytelling. She was a lifelong fan of Star Wars, Marvel films, Back to the Future, and Indiana Jones. She adored Blaxploitation films for their boldness and was captivated by biographical films and mob dramas—drawn to stories of survival, grit, and spirit, much like her own. She loved classical, R&B, soul, gospel, and funk music as well.

Mary was also a passionate fan of the Golden State Warriors, enjoyed watching sports, playing the lottery, and relaxing with her favorite HGTV shows, including My Lottery Dream Home and Married to Real Estate.

To know Mary was to feel at home. She was both soft-spoken and strong-willed, deeply empathetic, and endlessly giving. She made people feel seen, heard, and truly cared for—whether through a listening ear, a thoughtful gesture, or her calming presence. She carried herself with grace, resilience, and a deep-rooted sense of purpose throughout every chapter of her life.

Mary Angelina Cooper Huggins was so many things: a pioneer, a scholar, a faithful believer, a loving mother and grandmother, a brilliant conversationalist, and a woman of extraordinary depth and tenderness. Though we grieve her physical absence, we rejoice in the incredible life she lived and the countless ways her legacy lives on. She is now fully healed and whole, resting in the eternal presence of God.

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son,
that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
—John 3:16

The family would like to extend heartfelt thanks to the compassionate teams at UNC and Duke Cancer Centers for their care, dedication, and support throughout Mary’s journey.

She is survived by her daughters, Dr. Marie Huggins-Fish (Andrew) of Durham, NC, and Crystal Huggins of Raleigh, NC; her brother, Harry McMurray of Poconos, PA; sister-in-law, Ellen McMurray of GA; special nephew, Roosevelt Pearce (Yvonne) of GA; grandson, David Ellis Cooper Fish of Durham, NC; mother-in-law, Anna Huggins; her beloved cat, Prince; and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.

Funeral Service:  12:00 PM, Thursday, June 12, 2025 at Lea Funeral Home Chapel, 250o Poole Road, Raleigh, NC.

Visitation:  11:30 AM - 12:00 PM, preceding funeral service at the chapel.

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