Charles Ellis Cook

Charles Ellis Cook, 87, retired co-owner of Charles E. Cook & Son Construction and resident of Camellia Drive, died Tuesday, July 18, 2017 at NHC Columbia. A graveside service will be conducted Friday at 10:00 A.M. at Polk Memorial Gardens with Rev. Tony Brown officiating. Military honors will be provided by Herbert Griffin American Legion Post 19. Oakes & Nichols Funeral Directors are assisting the family with arrangements. The family suggests memorials to American Cancer Society, P. O. Box 22718, Oklahoma City, OK 73123. Condolences may be extended online at www.oakesandnichols.com. Born May 16, 1930 in Maury County, he was the son of the late Gilbert Cook and the late Bessie London Cook. On June 12, 1948, he married Marguerite Ross Cook who survives. Mr. Cook served in the U. S. Navy Reserve. Before starting his own residential and light commercial construction company, he was employed at Charles Brewer Construction and DuPont. He was a member of Craft Memorial United Methodist Church. He was known by family and community for having the motto of life: Proverbs 22:1 "A good name is to be valued above great riches". In addition to his wife, he is survived by his sons, Charles Michael (Cathy Latham) Cook and Johnny Ross (Juanita Morton) Cook, both of Columbia; grandsons, Brian (Traci) Cook, Christopher (Jennifer) Cook, Adam (Jillian) Cook, Ross (Stephanie) Cook; granddaughter, Lori (Sean) Kelly; and great grandchildren, Jaelyn Black, Cameron Webb, Stephanie Kelly, Lauren Kelly, Sadie Kelly, and Johanna Cook. He was preceded in death by a sister and brother-in-law, Freda & Joe Gibson. Pallbearers will be Brian Cook, Christopher Cook, Adam Cook, Ross Cook, and Sean Kelly. The family would like to express a special thank you to the staff of NHC Columbia, Hospice Compassus, Dr. Charles A. Ball, and Dr. Ben Gardner for their excellent care during Mr. Cook's illness.