Willie Mae Hancock was born in Halifax County, Va., March 3, 1931, and lived in Gloucester, Va., Richmond, Va., Los Angeles, and last resided in San Diego, Cal., where she died Dec. 28, 2012.

She worked in West Point, Va., at Leggett, C&P Telephone Company in the 1950s, and waitressed in Richmond for many years. She traveled across the United States twice and enjoyed her travels.

Willie Mae lived life the way she wanted and on her terms. She greatly enjoyed her coffee and cigarettes, and played the guitar in her younger years as many in her family did.

Willie Mae was married to Charles R. Pierce 1950 to 1966. They had a daughter, Sandra Jean (Jeannie) Pierce, and grandchildren, Jonathan E. Foster (Tamara) and Jill E. Peecook (Jason), all surviving her. She was predeceased by her parents, Richard P. and Mattie Lou Hancock, and sisters, Alease Poindexter, Betty Jane Hancock, Mary Lee Hancock; brothers, R.P. Hancock Jr., Johnny Hancock, and Mitchell Thomas Hancock. Surviving sisters are Irene Montgomery, Barbara Jean Ivy, Mattie Carolyn Ashby, Linda Lee Hancock; brother, Marshall Edward Hancock and nephews and a niece.

A memorial service was held at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 23, 2013, at New Hope United Methodist Church, Gloucester.