Mrs. Nellie Ruth Hoopaugh, 84, passed away peacefully on March 25, 2021 after a brief illness.

Born Nellie Ruth Cooley on May 21, 1936 in Quincy, Florida, she was the only daughter of the late Brinker and Lucile Cooley.

Nellie was preceded in death by her husband of 59 years, Furman Hoopaugh, daughter Mary (Bootsie) Gilwee, and brother Robert Cooley.

For most of her life, Nellie was a restaurant server. Customers at The Windmill near Lake Wateree loved her striking red hair and quick wit. She was an incredible cook, loved to swing dance and do the jitterbug with her husband, and was a source of strength and perseverance for her entire family. You were better off if she was on your team.

Nellie is survived by her brother John Cooley; daughter Judy Arnold; son-in-law Roger Gilwee (late Mary); granddaughters Kirsten Boone Olson and Barri Arnold Thompson (Lance); great-grandchildren Jacob Olson, Lola Thompson and Gussie Thompson; and many other friends and family who will miss her dearly.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 3pm on Saturday, April 3, 2021 at her granddaughter Barri Thompson's home, 1323 Claremont Drive in Columbia. Shives Funeral Home, Trenholm Road Chapel, is assisting the family.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations in Nellie's name to Harvest Hope Food Bank.