Retha S. Cook

Retha S. Cook (82) a native of Shelby, North Carolina and longtime resident of Ocean Springs Mississippi left this earth peacefully to walk with the angels on June 12, 2021. Retha married the love of her life, James Cook in 1953. They went on to raise three wonderful children. For 21 years Retha was a devoted and supportive Air Force wife. She and her husband chose to establish their family home in Ocean Springs Mississippi in which many happy memories were made through the years. She retired from Ocean Springs Hospital where she gained many life-long friends and was an enthusiastic bowler and horseshoe player. Above all Retha’s passion was her family. Retha is preceded in death by husband, James E. Cook, daughter Tina D. Gomez, parents Ollie and Gertrude Spicer, son-in-law, James M. Edwards (Jim), grandson, James E. Cook III (JC), and granddaughter Josie Cook. She is survived by daughter, Retha Ann Edwards, son, James E. Cook II and wife, Debbie, son-in-law Nerio Gomez, grandchildren to include James M. Edwards (Jimmy) and wife Mary Ann, Melissa Andrews and husband, Chris, Selina Harrison and husband, Ben, Johnathan Carnley, Alisha Sims, Jamie Cook, Kathryn Jones and husband, Brandon, 22 great- grandchildren, one great-great granddaughter, numerous nieces and nephews and close friends, as well as family in heart, Betty Telarico, Joseph Telarico and Margaret Merrill. Retha dearly wanted to be remembered for having fun with her family and many close friends. She will also be remembered for her loving nature, her guiding hands, her sense of humor and her beautiful smile. She believed that family was absolutely important and friends were a blessing. The family would like to recognize with gratitude the Ocean Springs Hospice of Light and to express a special thank you to Retha’s nurses, Natasha Owen and Aide Daphne Cone and Chaplain Jim Kirkendall for the love and care they provided and becoming part of our family. Visitation will be on Sunday, June 20, from 5pm until 7 pm, at the Ocean Springs Chapel of Bradford O’Keefe Funeral Home. On Monday, June 21, there will be a 12:15 pm service in the funeral home with burial following in Biloxi National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers please honor our loved one by making a tribute donation to the Alzheimer’s Association at https://act.alz.org/donate. The Ocean Springs Chapel of Bradford O’Keefe Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.