DONALD COOKE
Sept. 29, 1926-June 30, 2010
GOLDSBORO -- Otha Donald Cooke, 83, went to be with his Lord Wednesday, June 30, 2010, at his daughter's home, Margie Games, where he had been living since his wife's death.
Donald was born in Wayne County Sept. 19, 1926, to the late Henry Ivey Cooke and Nora Pate Cooke.
In his early years, he was a farmer in the Patetown community, and later worked with Kemp Furniture with more than 20 years of service.
Donald also worked with the Goldsboro News-Argus until he retired.
He was in the Army for a short period of time.
Donald enjoyed hunting, fishing and gardening, and had a special love for gospel and bluegrass music. He was a man who enjoyed life and lived it to the fullest. Donald was a man who saw the good in everyone and had many friends.
He was a member of Patetown Fire Department and one of the oldest living members.
He was dedicated to taking care of his wife of 57 years, Myrtie Ann Ginn Cooke, until her death.
Funeral services will be held Friday, July 2, 2010, at 7 p.m. at Free Chapel Pentecostal Free Will Baptist Church, where he was a longtime member, with the Rev. Mike Williams and the Rev. Willard Hardison officiating. Interment will be Saturday, July 3, 2010, at 11 a.m. in Pikeville Cemetery.
Donald is survived by his three daughters, Margie Games and husband, Shelton, Jeanette Howell and husband, Jimmy Howell, and Lynn Norman and husband, Larry, all of Goldsboro; his five grandchildren, Renee Daw Smith, Bobby Wayne Daw, Michelle Thigpen Pearce, Derick Lee Games and Chrisanna Thigpen Mooring; his 10 great-grandchildren, Marlie Smith, Macy Smith, Cooper Games, Kaitlin Games, Shelby Daw, Austin Edelen, Matthew Edelen, Victoria Pearce, Brandon Pearce and Megan Mooring; his three stepgrandchildren, Larry Norman III, Allen Norman and William Norman; his sister, Reba Brock of Goldsboro; his brothers, Larry Cooke and Garland Cooke; and his special friends from the News-Argus, Elbert Brown and J.R. Lancaster and also Annette and Steve Watson.
In addition to his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by his sister, Mavis Caison; his brother, Clennon Cooke; and his special friend, James Hoss Gardner.
The family would like to give special thanks to all the staff of Wayne Memorial Hospital for the love and care provided to Mr. Cooke.
Although flowers are welcome, memorial donations may be made to Free Chapel Pentecostal Free Will Baptist Church, 187 Vance Drive, Goldsboro, N.C., 27534.
The family will receive friends Friday after the service in the fellowship hall, and at other times at the home of Jeanette and Jimmy Howell, 123 Zeke's Lane, off Stoney Creek Church Road.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.seymourfuneralhome.com.
(Pd)
Published in Obituaries on July 1, 2010 1:47 PM