Jewell Inez Cook's Obituary
Jewell Inez Cook, 88, was called home to be with her Lord, Jesus Christ on March 25, 2016 after a long illness with complications from Alzheimer’s.She was a retired school teacher who taught Health and Physical Education at Colonial Jr. High for over 40 years, a devout member of White Station Baptist Church for 50 years and taught Sunday school as well. Jewell was born and raised in Paynes Community near Charleston, MS to Alfred and Bernice Cole. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from Mississippi College in 1948 where she was elected Miss Mississippi College and selected to the Who’s Who among students in American Colleges and Universities. Jewell served as Secretary of her sophomore class, and was elected President of the Women’s Student Government her senior year.She pursued her Master’s Degree at the University of North Carolina and the University of Pennsylvania before earning her Masters of Science Degree at Louisiana State University in 1952. She received her TN Department of Education Certificate with a Masters +45 with certification in Biology, Health and Physical Education.Colonial Students may remember her operating the “Canteen” on Friday and Saturday nights providing leisure activities in the gymnasium. She loved furnishing a place for young students to fellowship in a safe and healthy environment. She taught swimming lessons to thousands of children in the Memphis area during the summer months. Jewell had a knack for teaching you something even when you didn’t think you were being taught.She treasured all the many friendships she acquired while teaching, as well as, church friends, neighbors, and extended family. You know who you are!Her greatest passion outside the love her family was gardening. The most beautiful garden was at her residence referred to as “Jewell’s Little Acre.” Jewell lost her husband, the love of her life, John Edward Cook in 1971, a daughter, Deborah Loraine Stanfil in 2009 and a son, John Edward Cook, Jr. 2011.She is survived by her daughter Charmaine Murphree and husband Don, son Bill Cook and wife Becky, and a son Brad Cook all from Memphis; Four sisters and one brother; Jean Foley, Phyllis Wolfe and husband Robert, Bobby Cole and wife Marilyn all from Hernando, MS, and Brenda Myers and husband, Dr. Hurley Myers from Carbondale, IL. She also leaves her loving grandchildren; Jackie and Jon Freeman, Zach and Amanda Murphree, Melissa Kelly, Carson and Molly Cook, and Kelly and Katie Cook, along with eight great grandchildren.The family will receive friends from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., Monday, March 28, at Memorial Park Funeral Home. The funeral service will be held at 1 p.m., Tuesday, March 29, also at Memorial Park Funeral Home. Interment will be in Memorial Park Cemetery.In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to Alzheimer’s Association. www.alz.org or the charity of the donor’s choice.Memorial Park Funeral Home and Cemetery, 5668 Poplar Ave, Memphis TN 38119. (901) 767-8930. “Celebrating Life….Behind the Stone Wall.’
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