Kathy Elaine Payne Cooley age 72 of Woodlawn, Virginia passed away Thursday May 18, 2023, in the North Carolina Baptist Hospital.

Kathy was born on July 24, 1950, in Galax, Virginia to Wilbur Barnett and Odessa Hawks Payne. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her first husband and father of the children Dennis Cooley and a brother Carlos "C.L." Payne.

She is survived by her husband Ron Wright of Woodlawn, Virginia; daughter and son-in-law Lisa and Robert "Bobby" Moody of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina; two sons and daughters-in-law Scott and Kelly Cooley of Beaufort, South Carolina; John Mark and Miranda Cooley of Galax, Virginia; step-children and spouse Lauren and Colby Strain; Wesley Wright all of Clover, South Carolina; grandchildren Lane Cooley  (Jamie Smith); Lexi Cooley; Emma Moody; Ryleigh Kantorik; Colston Wright; Hadleigh Strain; Andrew Strain; brothers and sister-in-law Harold "H.K." Payne; Joel "Dean" and Norma Payne all of Galax, Virginia; special niece Tammy Meadows;  nephew David Payne; life-long friend Sharon "Adean" Swain.

The funeral service will be held Tuesday at 2:00 PM at Christ Chapel with Pastor David White officiating. Burial will follow in the Coal Creek Cemetery with Pastor Jason Penley officiating. The family will receive friends Tuesday from 12:00 noon until time for the funeral service at Christ Chapel. In lieu of flowers the family respectfully request donations in memory of Kathy be made to Willing Partners or Pipers Gap Rescue Squad. The family will receive friends at 132 Sparkle Lane, Galax.