Mary (McLaughlin) Cobbs

Born Mary McNeil on June 22, 1932 in Robeson County North Carolina, Mary Cobbs slipped away quietly on Saturday, January 9, 2016. She was 83 years old.

The oldest of three daughters born to Jessie and Ethel (Murphy) McNeil, Mary along her youngest sister Mildred was raised under the loving care of Minnie and John Hector McLaughlin. In their care she immediately gained the companionship of (3) brothers and (3) sisters and assumed the family name of McLaughlin.

In 1949 she and Roosevelt Cobbs were married and she became the mother of three children of her own, Roosevelt, Mary Ola and Johnny.

Seeking better economic conditions she became a part of the “Great Migration” to the north. Like many of her generation, she had to leave the care of children to family and move north; in her case to New York City, and work as a domestic caring for the family of others.

She eventually moved to Chicago (1959) as a result of a job transfer that her husband, Roosevelt received. There she was employed by Alpha Metals until her retirement.

Mary was preceded in death by her husband, Roosevelt (January 1999), biological and adoptive parents, sister’s Mildred and Annie Ruth as well as all the siblings from her adoptive family. She was the sole surviving family member of her generation.

Surviving to cherish her memory are her children, Roosevelt, Jr. (Nell), Mary Ola (Alvian) and Johnny (Shirley). Grandchildren, Patrick, Kwame, Danielle, Erica, Alvian, Jr., Erryn, Ebonie and Davina also survive her along with great granddaughters Arianna and Rita Camille and several nieces and nephews whom she loved dearly.

 Service Information