Obituary for James Cooke
James Thomas Cooke, affectionately known as Jimmie, peacefully transitioned to his heavenly home in the early hours on Tuesday, January 3, 2023. He was born on April 20, 1931 and was a resident of Chattanooga, TN for the majority of his life. He lived 91 years and impacted many during his time on this earth.
Jimmie was predeceased by his mother Mary Cooke, his wife, Joyce Fearn Cooke, grandson, Brian Cooke, ex-wife,
E. Kathleen Cooke, uncle and aunt, Harry and Lois Cooke and many other loving relatives.
Jimmie graduated from Howard High School in Chattanooga, Tennessee in the class of 1949. Jimmie graduated from Lane College where he was a member of the football team, serving as captain for at least one year. He was a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity. and a veteran of the United States Army, serving in the Korean war. He later received a Master’s Degree in Education.
Jimmie worked in various roles in the Chattanooga Public School and Hamilton County School Systems. He was a teacher, a guidance counselor and an assistant principal . After retiring from the school system, he and his wife Joyce started Cooke’s Child Development and Learning Center, where he was affectionately known as Papa.
Jimmie had many talents. He loved to cook and he also loved to build and fix things and always had a “project” he was working on. He also had a passion for helping others and gave generously to many in need as well as to various charities.
He was a longtime member of Stanley United Methodist Church. In his later years, he enjoyed the fellowship of the monthly activities for the seasoned members and friends.
He is survived by his children, Madelyn (Jimmy) Greene of Atlanta, GA, George (Pauline) Cooke of Marietta, GA, Joyce Cooke Bovell, Dianne Cooke, Charles (Linda) Cooke, Lisa Cooke Joynes and Karen Cooke (Pastor Charles) Smelley; Grandchildren, Erik Greene, Shawneeque Cooke, George Cooke, Jr., Chartasha (Lacarus) Mason, Courtney Cooke, Charles-Thomas (Beatrice) Cooke, Chrystal (Shannon) Phillips, Alexandria Cooke, Brandon Joynes, Sr., Charles Smelley, III, Samantha (David) Smith, Jessica (Malcolm) Lewis, Quinton Joynes, Christina Cooke Bovell and Christopher
Cooke Meadows; Great Grandchildren, Aryaunna Cooke, Orlando and Treshaun Gearing, Couriyah and Jaylen Stegall, Isaiah and Olivia Cooke, Brandon and Braxxon Joynes, Cayden and Emory Phillips, Charles IV and Rylei Smelley, Christian and Carter Cooke, David Smith, III; special cousins, Faye Cooke Waters and Michelle Cherry of California; extended family, devoted former son-in-law, Robert Bovell, longtime friends, Mr. Eddy Echols and Rev. Andrew Frierson and many other dear friends and neighbors.
Memorial contributions may be made in his honor to a charity of your choice or to The Community Foundation of Greater Chattanooga, Inc. c/o BHS Alumni Association -Class of 2003 Brian Cooke Scholarship Fund, 1400 Williams Street, Chattanooga, Tennessee, 37408.
Arrangements are as follows: The body will lie in state at the funeral home on Wednesday, January 11 from 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm; the Omega Psi Phi Memorial Service will be held at 5:30 pm. The Family hour will be on Thursday, January 12 from Noon to 1:00 pm, at the funeral home, followed by the Service of Committal at the Chattanooga National Cemetery at 1:30 pm.
Funeral arrangements entrusted to John P. Franklin Funeral Home, 1101 Dodds Ave., Chattanooga, Tennessee, 37404.
Jimmie was predeceased by his mother Mary Cooke, his wife, Joyce Fearn Cooke, grandson, Brian Cooke, ex-wife,
E. Kathleen Cooke, uncle and aunt, Harry and Lois Cooke and many other loving relatives.
Jimmie graduated from Howard High School in Chattanooga, Tennessee in the class of 1949. Jimmie graduated from Lane College where he was a member of the football team, serving as captain for at least one year. He was a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity. and a veteran of the United States Army, serving in the Korean war. He later received a Master’s Degree in Education.
Jimmie worked in various roles in the Chattanooga Public School and Hamilton County School Systems. He was a teacher, a guidance counselor and an assistant principal . After retiring from the school system, he and his wife Joyce started Cooke’s Child Development and Learning Center, where he was affectionately known as Papa.
Jimmie had many talents. He loved to cook and he also loved to build and fix things and always had a “project” he was working on. He also had a passion for helping others and gave generously to many in need as well as to various charities.
He was a longtime member of Stanley United Methodist Church. In his later years, he enjoyed the fellowship of the monthly activities for the seasoned members and friends.
He is survived by his children, Madelyn (Jimmy) Greene of Atlanta, GA, George (Pauline) Cooke of Marietta, GA, Joyce Cooke Bovell, Dianne Cooke, Charles (Linda) Cooke, Lisa Cooke Joynes and Karen Cooke (Pastor Charles) Smelley; Grandchildren, Erik Greene, Shawneeque Cooke, George Cooke, Jr., Chartasha (Lacarus) Mason, Courtney Cooke, Charles-Thomas (Beatrice) Cooke, Chrystal (Shannon) Phillips, Alexandria Cooke, Brandon Joynes, Sr., Charles Smelley, III, Samantha (David) Smith, Jessica (Malcolm) Lewis, Quinton Joynes, Christina Cooke Bovell and Christopher
Cooke Meadows; Great Grandchildren, Aryaunna Cooke, Orlando and Treshaun Gearing, Couriyah and Jaylen Stegall, Isaiah and Olivia Cooke, Brandon and Braxxon Joynes, Cayden and Emory Phillips, Charles IV and Rylei Smelley, Christian and Carter Cooke, David Smith, III; special cousins, Faye Cooke Waters and Michelle Cherry of California; extended family, devoted former son-in-law, Robert Bovell, longtime friends, Mr. Eddy Echols and Rev. Andrew Frierson and many other dear friends and neighbors.
Memorial contributions may be made in his honor to a charity of your choice or to The Community Foundation of Greater Chattanooga, Inc. c/o BHS Alumni Association -Class of 2003 Brian Cooke Scholarship Fund, 1400 Williams Street, Chattanooga, Tennessee, 37408.
Arrangements are as follows: The body will lie in state at the funeral home on Wednesday, January 11 from 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm; the Omega Psi Phi Memorial Service will be held at 5:30 pm. The Family hour will be on Thursday, January 12 from Noon to 1:00 pm, at the funeral home, followed by the Service of Committal at the Chattanooga National Cemetery at 1:30 pm.
Funeral arrangements entrusted to John P. Franklin Funeral Home, 1101 Dodds Ave., Chattanooga, Tennessee, 37404.