Robert Hall ("Bob") Cooke

Born of Stanley, North Carolina, Bob passed away at his home May 10. Bob was born to the late Robert Hall Cooke and Evelyn Gantt Cooke on January 20, 1944. He graduated from Stanley High. Bob worked from a young boy in elementary school by riding his bicycle to deliver newspapers to the people in Stanley. When the weather was too bad to ride his bicycle, the local police would put his bike in their car and take him around town to finish his deliveries so he could support his mother and two sisters after his father passed away. Bob told his mother, don’t worry as I will be the man of the house and help out.

If you knew Bob/Bobby, all he ever knew was work. After graduation from high school, he went into the Air Force in San Antonio, Texas to Portland, Maine, then finally back to Wilmington, North Carolina. He met some of his best buddies in the world while in service, who still stayed in touch through present day. They would all meet up (and even let the wife’s go) in Maine, Kentucky, or North Carolina. The guys (Jerry, Sam, Danny, Bob, Jerry, & my Bob) would have the best time telling their stories, while the wives sat in the other room listening them to laugh and having a good time.

After the service, Bob came back home to sell insurance, when you had to go door to door to service the customers. Then he went onto work in the food business for Crossmark where he would retire from. He had some great guys that worked for him and that he worked with there. His hard work paid off, as he would win all expense paid trips for 2 destinations all over the world, of course no kids were taken, so Tish never appreciated that. You could say that Dad was a workaholic, which most of you knew was also his hobby.

He leaves behind his wife, or as he would say his director, Martha Howell Cooke of 48 years. Daughters Leslie Shae Stroud and husband Chuck of Gastonia NC; Maria Tish Cooke and husband Shan Barrett of Lake Mary Florida, and Kimberly Howell of Tampa Florida whom he always felt was his daughter. Anna Mackenzie Wooten, of Western Carolina College, his granddaughter “TOOT’, whom he loved dearly. Sisters that passed away too soon Rulane Cook Lane of Supply NC and Linda Cook Davis of Gastonia, and aunt Allie Mae Cook of Stanley. Bob loved his Nephew and Nieces Billy Lane, Carrie Smith, and Mandy DelFonzo of Supply NC. Bob always loved his in-laws, extended family, and his wonderful church family, and Pastor Danny Shortridge & wife Karen, whom he thought the world of.

Services will be held at Dallas Church of God on Saturday May 15, 2021 at 311 South College Street, Dallas, NC 28034. Visitation will be held from 1-2:30 pm and Service at 3pm with the graveside to follow at Stanley Cemetery. Memorials can be made to Dallas Church of God.

Bob/Dad we know you are at rest now, and are probably asking the Lord what work needs to be done. We will see you soon! We love you more than you ever knew. Martha, Tish, Shae

Condolence messages may be sent to the family by visiting www.woodlawnfuneral.org. Woodlawn Funeral Home of Mount Holly is serving the family of Mr. Cooke.

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