Fred Cook
Tupelo- Fred Thomas Cook 91, heard Jesus say “Welcome home, good and faithful servant” on January 5, 2024. His eye sight was restored as he looked into the face of his Lord and Savior Jesus. Fred Thomas was born on February 28, 1932 to Fred Ervin and Mary Georganna Scott Cook near Baldwyn, MS in a community know as Frog Level. He attended school at Shuffledust, South Prentiss, Opalocka Florida, Baldwyn and graduated from Wheeler High School in 1950. He attended NEMJC and in December of 1950 he joined the National Guard Army; where he was stationed in the Panama Canal zone. He served his country from 1950-1952.
On January 15, 1954 he married the love of his life, Erma Jean Hendrix. They were married for 69 years before her departure to heaven on January 19, 2023. They lived in Memphis from 1954 where he worked at Sears then moving to Tupelo in 1955 where he got a job with the Tupelo Community Antenna where he put in the first residential cable on North Green and at Church Street School. In 1965 he went to work for Tupelo Water and Light Dept. where he was a lineman and Right of Way supervisor. He retired from there in 1996.
He was a faithful member of Priceville Baptist Church since 1960, where he served as deacon, Sunday school, Training Union director and teacher. He served on various committees throughout the years, but the building committee was his favorite. He was on this committee when the church burned in 1985, and was the oldest man in the church at the time of his death.
Funeral services will be Tuesday January 9 at 2:00 pm at Waters Funeral Home with Rev. Andy Dozier and Rev. Chris Carter officiating, there will be no grave side services.
He is survived by his 2 daughters Sherry Cook of Tupelo, Lisa Thomas (Mike Dozier) of Plantersville, 2 sisters Juanita Ryder of Baldwyn, Sarah Hardin (Billy) of Lucedale, grand children Beth Harmon (Trent) of Tupelo, Jonathan Thomas (Misti) of Belmont, Paula Aldridge (Reed) of Verona, Michael Dozier of Plantersville,7 great grand children Sophia Grace and Anna Claire Harmon of Tupelo, Noah, Ameila and Blair Tooley of Belmont, Greyson and Willow Aldridge of Tupelo, sister-in-law Sara Francis Cook of New Albany, 10 nieces and nephews, 29 great nieces and nephews, 15 great great nieces and nephews, 2 aunts and a host of other family and friends.
He was preceded in death by his beloved wife Erma Jean, his parents, 2 brothers George and Joe, nephew Greg Cook.
Pallbearers will be his nephews Barry Cook, Van Hardin, Anthony Ryder, Jeffery Cook, Ryan Cook and Camden Ryder.
Visitation will be Monday January 8 from 4 -7 pm at Waters Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Priceville Baptist Church Building Fund.
Expressions of sympathy can be sent to the family at www.watersfuneralservice.com
