Jerry R. Cook

Our beloved Jerry Randall Cook, 69, of Canterbury Drive, Shady Spring, passed away suddenly Sunday, April 23 at Grand Strand Regional Medical Center, Myrtle Beach, SC. Born in Wyoming County July 11, 1936, he was the son of the late Fred P. Cook of Oceana, the late Ona Cook Lewis Kirby of Beckley, and stepmother, Bethel Cook Angles of Oceana. In addition to his parents, Rev. Cook was preceded in death by his infant grandson, Casey Peeler and a brother, Perry Cook, who also died April 23 rd in 2005. Rev. Cook was pastor of Bradley Presbyterian Church and Mount Hope Presbyterian Church. Education includes the WWHS class of 1955 and Morris Harvey College (University of Charleston) where he excelled in the football and wrestling programs. He graduated from Columbia Theological Seminary, Atlanta, GA where he received his Masters of Divinity. He was ordained on September 27, 1964 in Tuscaloosa, AL. In his early ministry, he served as pastor of several churches throughout the South before returning to WV. He worked extensively in family counseling and addiction recovery programs. He retired from WV State Dept. of Rehabilitation Services and became pastor of the Bradley and Mount Hope Presbyterian Churches. Those left to cherish his memory include his wife, Joyce; daughters Angela Peeler and husband Jeff of Cherryville, NC; Shelley Cook of Las Vegas, NV; and grandchildren Jason, Amber and Josh of Cherryville, NC. Jerry's family also includes his step-children Jennifer Cropp and husband Randy of West Palm Beach, FL; Karen Davis and husband Scott of Seattle, WA; Travis Eye and wife Anne Marie of Cincinnati, OR; and grandchildren Christian of West Palm Beach, FL.; Emma of Seattle, WA; Reagan of Cincinnati, OH; and a special friend Charlie Eye of Daniels. Brothers include C. Joe Cook and wife Rexanna Noble of Daniels; Mike Cook of Beckley; and Frank Kirby of Stafford, VA. Sisters include Barbara Halstead and husband Robert of Daniels; Ruth Dowell and husband Roy of Mountain City, TN; Joan Pack and husband Danny of Dumfries, VA; Jean Lester and husband Parker of Ivanhoe, VA; Juanita Barber and husband Roy of Lewisburg; a sister-in-law Mrs. Helen (Perry) Cook of Churchville, VA; and several nieces and nephews. Family will receive friends Thursday, April 27 th from 6 to 8 PM at the Mount Hope Presbyterian Church. Services will follow Friday, April 28th at 1l:00AM at the Mount Hope Presbyterian Church with Rev. Malcolm Brownlee and Rev.Roy Dowell. Burial will follow in Sunset Memorial Park in Beckley. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions will be utilized for the outreach programs of the Bradley and Mount Hope Presbyterian Churches. Contributions may be mailed to: Mount Hope Presbyterian Church; 412 Main Street, Mount Hope, WV 25880.