Margaret Ainsley Brewin

Margaret Ainsley Brewin, 66, of 113 N. Covent Garden, Hertford, NC, went from her home to be with the Lord on Sunday, October 13, 2013. Born in Perquimans County, she was the daughter of the late William Franklin "Willie" Sr. and Doris Gregory Ainsley. She was a graduate of Perquimans County High School and UNC Greensboro where she was a Catherine Reynolds Scholar and a member of Phi Beta Kappa. A life-long resident of Hertford, she was the third generation owner and operator of Gregory's 5, 10, & 25 Cent Store in Hertford. Prior to this she taught briefly at Albemarle Academy and worked for Perquimans County as a librarian and for six years as a social worker in Child Protective Services. She was a gifted artist who loved to travel and meet new people. She had a deep love for family and children especially her grandchildren, and had a special place in her heart for her cats. She loved decorating and cooking for holidays and was a frequent winner of the storefront Historic Hertford Curb Appeal Contest. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother, William Franklin Ainsley, Jr. Surviving are her husband, Robert Twigg Cooper; two daughters, Laura B. Sawyer and husband Mark of Hertford and Alice B. Moncla and husband Sam of Belvidere; a sister-in-law, Mary F. Ainsley of Wilmington; and five grandchildren, Phobe and Liam Sullivan, and Sam, Max, and Sophie Moncla. Friends may join the family Thursday from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. in Miller & Van Essendelft Funeral Home, 1125 Harvey Point Road, Hertford. Graveside services, officiated by the Rev. H. Gene Boyce, will be held Friday at 2:00 p.m. in Cedarwood Cemetery, Hertford, followed by a reception in the fellowship hall of Hertford Baptist Church. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in her memory may be made to either the SPCA, PO Box 1772, Elizabeth City, NC 27906 or to the Shriner's Hospital for Children, Greenville Unit, 950 W. Faris Road, Greenville, S.C. 29605. Online condolences may be made by visiting www.millerfhc.com.