Marie Nell Grant Cooley, lovingly known as “Nell,” came into this world on March 19, 1931, in Ritter, South Carolina, to Earlene and Henry Grant. She went to see her Lord and Savior on December   25, 2023.

Nell Cooley was the seventh of eight children. She attended St James Catholic School from elementary school through the 8th grade. She was then bused from her area to Walterboro, SC, to attend Walterboro High School.  After graduation, Nell became a Practical nurse and worked at the famous Provident Hospital in Maryland. After about a year, Nell decided to change careers and moved to New York where she began to work in retail.

After marrying the young soldier Bennie Cooley, Nell moved to El Paso, where she continued her long career in the retail business, rising to become a sales managing consultant for Popular Department Store before retiring in 1995. Nell and Bennie were blessed with one son, Hector.

Nell was a woman of strong Christian faith and loved the Lord. She became a member of Community Baptist Church in 1958 and later stood as a member of the Usher Board for several decades. She could be seen every Sunday as the Usher Board team assisted members and visitors during the church services.

Nell also served as the Treasurer of the El Paso-Las Cruces Alumni Silhouettes organization. The Silhouettes were the wives of the Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity local chapter members. These ladies would assist in helping with socials, fundraisers, and hosting the out-of-town Silhouettes at local conferences.

From her retirement in 1995 until her passing, Nell continued to be involved in community activities with the Silhouettes. She stayed active with her hobbies and interests, such as bowling, gardening, playing bingo, going to the movies, traveling, and spending time with family and friends.

Marie Nell Grant Cooley was always there for her family, especially for her son, Hector. She is preceded in death by her Mother and Father, Earlene and Henry Grant, and by her brothers and sisters, Elizabeth, Sarah, Herman, William, Rose, Oretha, and Henry Jr.

Nell is survived by her husband, Bennie, son Hector, daughter-in-law, Pamela, and several nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, great-great nieces, and great-great nephews.