Willie Mae Cobb

WAKE FOREST – Willie Mae Varker Burnette Cobb, 96, formerly of Pony Road in Zebulon, died Sunday, June 7, 2026 at Brookdale Assisted Living in Wake Forest. Born June 15, 1929 in Vance County, she was the daughter of the late Lena Stegall Varker and William Thomas Varker.

Willie Mae retired from Continental Hosiery Mill where she worked for 47 years and was also a member of Cokesbury Methodist Church.

A funeral service will be held, Monday, June 15, 2026 at 2:00 P.M. in the chapel of J. M. White Funeral Home by Rev. Michael Edmondson. Burial will follow at Sunset Gardens.

She is survived by a step-daughter Rosa Cobb Edwards (Doug) of Wilson; a step-son James Earl “Jimmy” Cobb, Jr. and wife, Suzanne of Raleigh; a half-brother, Bob Varker and wife, Carol of Florida; two half-sisters, Ann Varker Goswick of Franklinton; and Shirley Varker Klaren of Springfield, VA.; four grandchildren, James Earl Cobb, III (Laura), Joseph Cobb and wife, Paige, Jacob Cobb and wife, Sara, Joshua Edwards and wife, Ashley; four step-great grandchildren; and two nephews, Patrick Varker of Raleigh and David Varker of Kittrell.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husbands, Vernon Woodrow “Buster” Burnette and James Earl Cobb, Sr.; and two brothers C. T. Varker and Sterling Varker.

The family will receive friends prior to the service on Monday beginning at 1:00 P.M. at J.M. White Funeral Home. 

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Cokesbury Methodist Church, c/o of Ruth Moss 1705 Allison Cooper Road, Henderson, NC 27537 or Transitions Life Care, 205 Hospice Circle, Raleigh, NC 27607.