Funeral services for Willingham Cohen, Sr. will be held Saturday, April 3, 2021 at 11 am at First Thankful Baptist Church with burial in the church cemetery. Public viewing will be held Friday, April 2, 2021 from 4 pm to 7 pm in the chapel of Garvin-Garvin Funeral Home in Estill, SC.

Willingham Cohen, Sr. lived a life that was exemplified by SERVICE, LOVE, DEDICATION, and COMMITMENT - to his God, his wife, his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, his siblings, his extended family, his church and Hampton County.  He was a man of impeccable integrity who was highly respected in Hampton and Jasper counties throughout his life.  He was a man of his word.

On Sunday morning, March 28, 2021 at 8:05, he transitioned this earthly life and gained eternity with God.

Willingham was born on February 15, 1921 and was the fourth child in birth order of Richard Cohen and Mattie Ennis Cohen.  Six brothers (Henry, Richard, Wilson, Lee, William, Malachi) and three sisters (Rosena, Agnes, Katie) preceded him in death. Willingham had two additional brothers (Eugene and Joseph) and one sister (Florence) who were the children of Richard Cohen and his first wife, Lucinda, who preceded Richard in death.

Just recently, his 100 th birthday was celebrated on February 20 th with a drive-by parade and a resolution by the Hampton County Council.  Well wishes were also expressed by a letter from the Governor of South Carolina and from Representative Shedron Williams. WIS-TV in Columbia, the Hampton County Guardian and WBHC acknowledged the occasion as well.

SPIRITUAL LIFE

Willingham accepted Christ as his Savior at an early age.  He joined First Thankful Baptist Church where he was a life-long member and worked tirelessly for many, many years.  He served as a deacon and later as Chair of the Board of Deacons and a trustee. First Thankful, but more importantly God, was the center of his spiritual life.  He supported his church in every way that he could and was an influencer in the church's business affairs. His attendance declined as he cared for his wife and as he advanced into his mid-nineties; but his faith never wavered.

FAMILY LIFE

He married Iverlee Taylor, who was the love of his life, on February 1, 1942.  His devotion to her was unwavering until her death on November 10, 2020.  God granted them more than 78 abundant years together. They were blessed with six children.

Willingham's love for his wife and children extended beyond them to all his family.  He was considered the patriarch to his immediate family and to many other family members who sought his advice and wise counsel.  Everyone knew that although he was a man of few words, the words that he spoke were nuggets of wisdom that came from a man of principle and integrity.  If he said it, you could count on it.

He was devoted, especially, to caring for his sister Agnes and his brothers Henry, Richard and Wilson as their health failed.  His love for his family showed continuously as he helped other family members and members of the community through difficult times.

He had special bonds with his grandchildren and many of his nieces and nephews.  Some of them spent so much time around him that they seemed like his children as well and he taught them all that character mattered.

Willingham was tough and disciplined, but the special relationships that he had with all his family will remain in their hearts forever.  His eldest child, Franklin Louis Cohen, preceded him in death just five short months ago (October 17, 2020).  Those who remain to rejoice in memories of him are: children – Willingham Cohen Jr. (Jane), Pineland, SC; Ernestine Cohen Shaw, Marietta, GA; Lorraine Cohen Lee, Charlotte, NC; Eleanor O. Martin (Donald), Columbia, SC and Jarome Cohen (Gail), Clarks Hill, SC.  Sister:  Alean Patterson, Bronx, NY; Sisters-in-law, Albertha Taylor Farmer, Estill, SC and Jeanette Cohen, Aiken, SC.

Grandchildren: Franklin's Children :  Roswell, Victor, Karen, Lisa, Rolonda, Shalonda, Amber. Willingham Jr's :  Sharon, Syreka. Ernestine's : Donna. Lorraine's : Marlo. Eleanor's : Edward, Whitney. Jarome's :  LeRone, Cerrone. Great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

BUSINESS LIFE

At the age of 24 in 1945 and with only a sixth-grade education, Willingham started his logging business.  He recognized at this early age and in the age of segregation that being an entrepreneur would be more beneficial for himself, his family and other black men that he was able to employ.  Many of the young men in the community got their first job in the logging business where they were taught good work ethic which motivated them to do well in life.

He worked hard in the early years, often living away from home with his crew during the week to ensure that there were tracts of timber available to be cut.

His son, Willingham Jr., later joined him in the business and worked faithfully by his side. At one point, they cut timber on Spring Island near Beaufort when the island was inaccessible by automobile and the logs were placed on barges and floated back to the mainland.  Willingham had astute business acumen that he would often call "mother's wit."  It was this "mother's wit" that sustained his business until he retired at the age of 65 in 1986.

PUBLIC LIFE

In 1972, Hampton County was no exception to racial strife but realized that it needed black representation in county politics.  Hampton county leaders, both black and white, approached Willingham Cohen Sr. because they thought that he was the right candidate to help bridge this gap between the white and black communities.  He accepted the nomination and was elected to the Hampton County Council as the first African American to hold this office since Reconstruction.  He served for 22 years and retired from that seat in 1994.  During his tenure there, he served as Vice-Chairperson and early on introduced the idea of a Rural Fire Protection Program which was finally adopted in 1991. At retirement, he was named Chairman Emeritus.

On March 10, 2013, he was honored with the Arnold Fields Community Endowment's Lifetime Achievement Award for his life's work and service that resulted in an improved quality of life for the grater Hampton County area.

Willingham was instrumental in getting several roads including a portion of Highway 3 paved and in getting telephone service in rural communities.

He saw the need for diversity among the workforce in Hampton County government positions and worked to effect that change.

Additionally, he served on the boards of the SC Commission of Alcohol and Drug Abuse and the Farmer's Home Administration and was instrumental in the development of the Lowcountry Industrial Park.

In February 2019, Representative Shedron Williams introduced a bill to name a portion of Cypress Creek Road in his honor.  That resolution passed in May 2019 and signs were erected bearing his name.

On March 16, 2019 he was recognized as a Civic Pioneer by the Hampton County Legislative Delegation.

LEGACY

Willingham Cohen leaves a legacy in Hampton county. His footprints are indelible in the accomplishments he made as a public servant. Whenever he spoke to young people, he motivated and challenged them to get a good education and to pursue their dreams.

In his community, he left a spirit of giving back.

To his family, he challenged them to be good citizens and to always have an open heart and an open hand.  He taught them that what you make is not nearly as important as what you do with what you make. He recited stories to them of how his father would pick up a boll of cotton along the road and saved it until he had enough to add to it.  He taught them that no one can take away your knowledge, so get as much of it as you can.  For this wisdom, they are eternally grateful.