Talmadge Bennie Cook, Sr.

Talmadge Bennie Cook, Sr., 87, of D’Iberville, MS passed away on Monday, October 5, 2026 in Gulfport.

Talmadge was born on August 10, 1939 in Collins, MS. He was a longtime resident of D’Iberville, where he attended D’Iberville schools. He was the oldest of five children.

Talmadge, at the age of 17, met 15 year old Carolyn Cox and the two became “High School Sweethearts”. After Carolyn graduated high school, they were married by Fr. James McGough on June 5, 1959. Together they raised seven children. Their children honored them on their 25th, 40th, 50th and 60th anniversaries. Fr. McGough also attended their 50th wedding anniversary.

After marrying his sweetheart, Talmadge worked for his father at Cook’s Salvage Yard until 1963, then he started his own business. It was first known as Cook’s Auto Repair and later became Cook’s Transmissions. His sons, Chris and Talmadge, Jr., continue to operate the business today.

Talmadge enjoyed dirt track racing and was known as “Top Cat.” He played the guitar, loved being on the water and owned several boats. He also loved to eat, especially crab legs and bananas. He was a man of many talents who could do just about anything and even built his own two-story home.

In 1989, Talmadge became a confirmed Catholic and was a member of Sacred Heart Church in D’Iberville. He served as a eucharistic minister for many years and was also a member of the Knights of Columbus Council 9094.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 63 years, Carolyn Cox Cook; his beloved daughter, Terri Cook Seymour; his parents, Dewitt Cook and Mamie Hutchinson; his brothers, Billy Cook and Kenneth Cook; his sisters, Cary Rau and Mary Berhow; and his daughter-in-law, Stacey Dunaway Cook.

Talmadge’s survivors include his children, Tammy Cook, Chris (Laura) Cook, Susan Davis, Anna Cook (Norman), Leslie Abbott (Don) and Talmadge Cook, Jr. (Richelle); his grandchildren, Randy Lee Eaton, Jr., Jeremy Eaton, Stephen Eaton, Jennifer Miller, Shawndee Kendrick, Sarah Yennie, Brandon Davis, Justin Davis, Adam Seymour, Chad Seymour, Joanna Waltman, Christine Cvitanovich, Joseph Montgomery, Jr., Dustin Aderholt, Alissa Abbott and Gavin Cook; 24 great-grandchildren; and 1 great-great-grandchild.

The family would like to thank Dr. Pavlov and Twy for the many years of care they provided to their dad. They also thank Jessica LaHaie, Jessica Murray and the staff at Claiborne, as well as Lillie and Jackie with Hospice, for their compassionate care and support. The family is grateful to all family and friends for their continued thoughts, love and prayers.

In lieu of flowers, the family prefers donations to the Dementia Society at Dementia Society of America or the Alzheimer’s Foundation at Alzheimer's Association in Talmadge’s memory.

Funeral Services will be held at Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home on Howard Avenue in Biloxi on Wednesday, October 14, 2026 at 11:00 am with Fr. Henry McInerney officiating. Friends may visit from 10:00 am until service time. Interment will follow at D’Iberville Memorial Park.

Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Talmadge Bennie Cook, Sr.