Charlie Cooke

Charlie Cooke

Charlie "Cookie" Cooke, 89, of Cape Girardeau died Friday, Oct. 24, 2008, at Missouri Veterans Home.

He was born March 12, 1919, in Ellerbe, N.C., son of William and Miranda (Thompson) Cooke. He and Maxine (Devoy) Cooke were married Oct. 18, 1945, in St. Louis.

Cooke served in the Army during World War II from 1937 to 1940 and 1942 to 1945. He earned four Bronze Stars for his service. He owned and operated a service station for 12 years and was later employed by Yellow Freight Systems as a truck driver. Cooke enjoyed racing stock cars and won five races in Cape Girardeau.

Survivors include his loving and faithful wife, Maxine Cooke of Jackson; two daughters, Brenda Seyer and her husband, Mike, of Cape Girardeau, Patricia Nelson of Jackson (Jerry preceded); and two sisters, Sarah Kelly of Hamlett, N.C., Cozette Rush of Ellerbe, N.C. He is also survived by six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers, a sister and a grandchild.

Friends may call from 10 a.m. until service time today at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Chapel.

Graveside service will be at 11 a.m. today at Cape County Memorial Park with Missouri military honors.

Officiating the service will be chaplains Steve Francis, John Nimmo and Greg Heinsman.

Burial will be at Cape County Memorial Park in Cape Girardeau.

Memorial donations can be made to the A Team Care Givers at the Missouri Veterans Home or Crown Hospice.