Cooke, Thelma

April 15, 2011

Thelma Cooke

Thelma Boone Cooke, 87, died peacefully Friday, April 15, 2011 at Hospice of Wake County in Raleigh. Born in Nash County on September 2, 1923, she was the daughter of the late Gilbert W. Boone and Bettie W. Boone of Nash County. She was predeceased by her husband of 58 years, W. C. Cooke, Jr.
Thelma retired from Farmers Home Administration with over 30 years of service. She was always active in her community and church, serving as Sunday School teacher for young children for over 50 years, serving in various administrative positions as committee chair, and was named Rocky Mount District Lay Person of the Year in 1987. She was also very active in community fund raising for various charities. She and her husband, W.C., received Nashville's Distinguished Citizens Award in 2001 for their leadership and service to Nashville's citizens. Thelma also received the Governor's Volunteer Award and the Nash County Volunteer Service Award, volunteering at Nash Correctional Center for 15 years and serving on the Board of Directors for Faith Christian Ministries.
A devoted mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, Thelma is survived by her son, Robert (Brenda) Cooke of Raleigh, her daughter Elizabeth Seagle of Lansing, NC, granddaughter Lindsay (Derek) Osterhoudt of Raleigh, granddaughter Erin (Joel) Thompson of West Jefferson, NC, and three great- grandsons, Chandler, Brighton, and Maverick Osterhoudt of Raleigh. In addition, she is survived by two sisters and a brother, Edith Toussaint of Raleigh, Joyce Ammons of Fayetteville, and Warren (Lois) Boone of Spring Hope. She was predeceased by a sister, Edna James of Nashville.
A service to celebrate her life is scheduled for Monday, April 18th, at 11 am, at the Nashville United Methodist Church, with family visitation from 3 pm to 5 pm on Sunday, April 17th at Cornerstone Funeral Home & Cremations, 1052 South First Street in Nashville. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Nashville United Methodist Church, 209 E. Washington Street, Nashville, NC 27856, Hospice of Ashe County, 392 NC Highway 88 E, Jefferson, NC 28640, or to Hospice of Wake County, 250 Hospice Circle, Raleigh, NC 27607.
The family wishes to thank her caregivers in Nashville over several years for their loving and devoted service: Linda Deale, Judy Rowland, Patricia Newsome, Marie Tabron, and Janet Sasser. The loving care of many devoted Hospice workers in Ashe and Wake County is also deeply appreciated by the family.

Aunt Thelma will always be remembered for delicious cookies she made at Christmas.I was a blessed child to receive the beautiful clothes she made Elizabeth after she out grew them. No one could make a more beautiful wedding cake than Aunt Thelma.She never let a conversation end with telling you about her granddaughters. She was so proud of her children,but her granddaughters Erin and Lindsay were the apple of her eye for sure. I am looking forward to seeing Aunt Thelma in heaven.May GOD give the Elizabeth and Robert peace with the asurrance of HOPE.
Martha L. Barnes
barnes4299@embarqmail.com