Lou Ann Cozart

Lou Ann Bissett Cozart, 92, died peacefully at her home surrounded by her children, on May 21, 2026. Born in Wilson, NC on April 25, 1934, she was the daughter of the late Eloise Moore Bissett and Charles Thomas Bissett.

A memorial service celebrating her life will be held on Wednesday, May 27, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Timothy's Episcopal Church. Her family will receive friends in the Common Room immediately following the service. Interment at Maplewood Cemetery will be for immediate family only.

Lou Ann graduated from Charles L. Coon in 1952 and from UNC-Chapel Hill in 1956, where she received a Bachelor of Arts in Education where she was a member of the Tri Delta sorority.

She was courted by the love of her life, Dick, while in high school. Their courtship extended into her college years and culminated after graduation from UNC-Chapel Hill. They married in 1956 and moved to Norfolk where Dick was stationed in the Navy.

Lou Ann began her career in education teaching fourth grade in Norfolk. Dick was later deployed to Europe. She missed him so much that, in the summer, she and another Navy wife followed the fleet to meet their husbands at different ports.

Lou Ann and Dick moved back to Wilson after he got out of the Navy. She then began her family and they had two children. Her love of teaching being persistent, she taught fourth grade at Greenfield School. In 1985, she helped establish the Language Therapy Program that was based on the Orton-Gillingham method used to teach reading, writing, and spelling. She served two terms as the President of the International Dyslexia Association of N.C. and in 2001 was the recipient of the June Lyday Orton award for literacy service. In 2008, she was inducted into the Greenfield School Order of the Round Table. While most teachers took the summers off, Lou Ann would tutor her Language Therapy program students at her home.

After retirement, she co-founded the Wilson County Chapter of the Augustine Literacy Project, which was dedicated to improving the language arts skills of young readers in under-resourced communities. Her dedication and compassion was instrumental in the success of so many students.

Lou Ann was a lifelong member of St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church, serving in many areas; chiefly as the Head Sacristan of the Altar Guild, of which she was a member for many years.

Lou Ann loved many things: her family and friends, her church, sailing with Dick, the beach, entertaining, cooking, reading, and attending or watching UNC-Chapel Hill basketball games.

Lou Ann was predeceased by her husband, Ula Hubert Cozart III.

She is survived by her children, Thomas Moye Cozart of Southern Pines, NC, and Janet Cozart Chesson (Jon) of Little Washington, NC; and grandson, Riley.

The family expresses its sincere gratitude to Lou Ann's devoted caregivers, Irene Armstrong, Emily Ballance, Tanya Bryant, Sheri Connie, Lisa Cooper, Barbara Farmer, Mary Freson, Lisa Mooring, and Sherby White, and also the angels at Gentiva Hospice of Wilson.

Those wishing to make a memorial gift should direct them to St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church, PO Box 1527, Wilson, NC 27894 or to Greenfield School, 3351 NC Highway 42 W, Wilson, NC 27893, or the charity of one's choice.

Arrangements by Wilson Memorial Service, 2811 Fieldstream Dr N, Wilson, (252) 237-7171; www.wilsonmemorialservice.com.