ENFIELD — Julia Arlene Cofield Exum began a life which spanned nearly 100 years on June 30, 1911, in Enfield. She was the only daughter of Henry and Grace Bradley Cofield and passed suddenly into eternity on Friday, Oct. 16, 2009.

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Growing up with eight brothers, of which one was her twin, Julia became known as “Sis” to her siblings and generations of Enfield residents. In later years, the community and many others embraced her as “Aunt Julia.”

She first attended the town’s private Independent School and graduated from Edward Waters Training School, Winton. She attended Brick School and Junior College, Bricks, and Elizabeth City State Teachers College (now known as Elizabeth City State University, Elizabeth City).

She taught briefly in Halifax County Public Schools, but soon joined her enterprising father and brothers in the family business. In 1936, she married Joseph Holden Exum, who preceded her in death in 1974, and for many years the two operated the Cofield-Exum Store and Garage.

The couple had one son, Joseph Jr., who died in 1972.

As a young child, she was baptized at First Baptist Church, but later joined New Bethel Baptist Church, where she often sat with her mother, Grace, and other elders in the mother’s pew. During her long, devoted service to New Bethel Baptist Church, she was a member of the Senior Choir, Missionary Circle, Willing Workers Club and the Sunday School Teaching Staff. The church honored her by making her a member of its Mother Board.

She manifested her love for God through devotion to her family, mentoring the young and by helping those in need. She worked to improve the welfare of senior members of the Enfield community by helping to establish a senior citizens program which offered activities and meals to elderly residents.

She was the oldest living alumnae of Brick Junior College, an enthusiastic member of the Rocky Mount Area Brick, and a founding member of the Everblooming Garden Club of Enfield.

We know that her long life was a blessing from God and that her loving spirit and gentle, peaceful ways now belong to the ages. She brought sweetness and love to so many lives.

Mourning her death and rejoicing in her abundant life are her  devoted nieces and nephews, Ruel and Lillie Solomon (with whom she resided) of Enfield, Dr. Willa M. Cofield of Plainfield, N.J., Sylvia A. Ellison of Austin, Texas, Bettie G. Cofield, Zenobia Cofield and Augustus C. Cofield Jr. of Weldon, Elsie W. Cofield of New Haven, Conn., Vivian Spence (Lawrence) and Nathaniel Cofield Jr. of Enfield, Juan M. Cofield (Julia) and James E. Cofield Jr. of Boston, the Rev. J. Willard Cofield Jr. (Madeline) of Springfield, Mass., Bennie Cofield Jr. of Brentwood, N.Y., Dr. Hardy Cofield of New York, Harry Cofield Jr. of Enfield, Maggie A. Caples (Vernard) of Cockeysville, Md., Vergie Williams of Hampton, Va., and Benjamin Allen (Rosemary) of Williamsburg, Va.; her sister-in-law: Elizabeth B. Cofield of Boston; 34 great-nieces and nephews, 41 great-great-nieces and nephews, and four great-great-great-nieces and nephews; two devoted companions, Josephine Wright and Ollie Jean Cooper of Enfield; a host of cousins, other relatives and many friends.

A celebration of life will be held at noon, Wednesday, Oct. 21,  from the sanctuary of New Bethel Baptist Church, Highway 301, Enfield, with the Rev. Samuel McClain Jr., pastor, delivering the eulogy. The family will receive friends during a visitation from 11 a.m. until funeral time at the church. Interment will follow in Cedarview Cemetery in Enfield.

 Cofield Mortuary in Weldon is handling the arrangements.  Online condolences may be made at www.cofieldmortuary.com.