Raymond Cook

Raymond H. Cook, 87, of Burfordville, passed away Monday, April 16, 2007, at his home.

He was born March 22, 1920, in Cape Girardeau, son of the late Rev. Robert L. and Mary Jane Hanners Cook. He and Ella Mae Hutson were married March 14, 1946.

Raymond was a 1938 graduate of Cape Girardeau Central High School. He was inducted into the U.S. Army Feb. 3, 1942, and received two Bronze Stars for service in the European, African, and Mid-Eastern Theaters, and he also served with the British 8th Army. He was honorably discharged Oct. 19, 1945.

He was an active member of Burfordville Baptist Church, where he served 57 years as an ordained deacon. He also taught the adult men's Sunday school class many years.

He was a cement mason many years for Penzel Construction Co. in Jackson and worked for Richard Construction Co. in Cape Girardeau.

He was a member of Altenthal-Joerns American Legion Post 158 in Jackson and a 50-year member of Plaster and Cement Mason Local 908.

Survivors include Ella Mae, his loving wife of 61 years; a son, Timothy L. (Helen) Cook of Burfordville; a daughter, Sally (Robert "Bud") Allen of Brush, Colo.; a daughter-in-law, Nancy Cook of Burfordville; four grandchildren, Andy (Marisa) Cook of Burfordville, Daniel, Elizabeth, and Mark Allen of Brush; a step-granddaughter, Teresa (Ernie) Crump; three great-stepgrandchildren, Trey, Nick, and Cory Crump; three brothers, Kenneth (Esther) Cook of Marble Hill, Mo., the Rev. Lee Cook of Camp Verde, Ariz., Truman (Eula) Cook of Sun City, Ariz.; and a sister, Betty Upchurch of Marble Hill.

He was preceded in death by a son, Mike Cook (April 3, 2006), two brothers and four sisters.

Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. today at McCombs Funeral Home in Jackson.

The funeral will be at 2 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Morris Cobb officiating. Interment will follow in Russell Heights Cemetery with graveside military honors.

Memorials are suggested to Burfordville Baptist Church or the charity or church of the donor's choice.

Sympathy messages may be sent to the family online at www.mccombsfuneralhome.com.