Rozelle Cookson

Nelda "Rozelle" Cookson, 83 years, 9 months and 20 days, passed away Monday, April 10, 2023, at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau.

She was born June 21, 1939, in Lott, Texas, the daughter of Zellner "Plunk" Lee and Irene Mustian Daniel.

Rozelle's life career was in education, retiring from the Puxico, Missouri, schools. She truly loved all the children she taught.

She recently spent time at Delta South Skilled Nursing facility in Sikeston, Missouri, caring for her husband, Carroll. They described her as "a light that lit up the whole world." She was the most loving and caring individual to all the people who knew her. She was truly an inspiration to all. Her Christian faith was always her anchor throughout her entire life. She was a member of the Asherville (Missouri) Church of Christ.

Rozelle married the love of her life, Carroll Cookson, on Dec. 1, 1956. Her pride and joy was seeing all her children and grandchildren obtain their college educations and seeing their many successes.

Loving survivors include her husband, Carroll Cookson; son, the Honorable Stephen Cookson; two daughters, Lesa (Jon) Murray and Lorie (Don) Grossheider; sister, Mary Lyn Joyner; brother and sister-in-law, Ronnie and Dee Cookson; aunt, Pauline Lawler; grandchildren, Tyler (Molly) Cookson, Kyle (Amber) Murray, Katie (Philip) Klaproth and Clint Daniel Pogue; step-grandchildren, Abby (Cyle) Huck and Neal (Kori) Grossheider; great-grandchildren, Teagan and Ava Murray, Cooper and Milo Klaproth, Clayton, Levi, Clarey and Liam Huck, and Eleanor Grossheider; nieces and nephew, Karen (Roger) Brown, Janell Hill, Jeff (Debbie) Cliff, Julie Ridenour, Jay (Carrie) Cookson, Brad (Christie) Cookson and Bruce (Karen) Underwood, Gary (Marie) Underwood and Linda Jorgenson.

She was preceded in death by her parents; stepfather, George W. Rylee; brothers and sisters-in-law, J.T. and Phyllis Cookson, Ancel and Doris Cookson and Rena Mable and Quentin Ridenour.

The family would like to thank Barry Aycock, Dave and Connie Thompson, Carol Bulford, Kay Smith, John and Gail Rhodes, Jim and Carolyn Bowling, Don and Sandy Rhodes, Terri Wiseman West, Morgan Funeral Home, Joy Cookson, Tammy Blocker, Julie Gipson, Dennis and Sandy Wheetley, Otis and Ann Lewis, Fayette Moss, Rhonda Hancock, Denise Griffin, Asherville Church of Christ, Puxico Church of Christ, Brown General Baptist Church, the caring community of Delta South Skilled Nursing facility, the doctors and nurses at Saint Francis Medical Center, Monty and Missy Montgomery, the caring community of Shady Brook Mobile Home Park, and all of their many friends and extended family.

Rozelle's visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, April 14, at Morgan Funeral Chapel in Advance, Missouri.

A funeral service will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 15, at Brown General Baptist Church on County Road 275, north of Puxico. Pastor John Rhodes will officiate. Interment will follow at the church cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.