Sue Cooke

COMMERCE – Sue Tallant Cooke, 83, died Tuesday, March 24, 2009, at her residence, due to complications from a fall in January.

Born in Canton, on February 3, 1926, she was the daughter of the late Tom and Fannie Martin Tallant. She was a member of Rogers Baptist Church and was preceded in death by her husband of 52 years, Philip R. Cooke; sister, Martha Woods, California; and granddaughter, Patricia Ann Vaughn. She served in the United States Air Force and worked as a statistician for the Pentagon during the Korean War. She was a homemaker, member of a garden club, member of the local VFW, served as president of the Ladies Auxiliary for the Commerce Veterans of Foreign War Post 5279, served as commander of the local American Legion, was a volunteer for the 4-H Club, a Cub Scout leader, a florist, an Activities Director for several local nursing homes, a chef after having received her culinary degree in her sixties, a folk artist whose artwork was shown and sold in New York City and Birmingham and locally in Commerce and Winder. She was a loving mother and grandmother, encouraging her grandchildren to study and instilled in them a passion for reading, traveling, cooking, sewing, gardening, and much more loved ones added.

Survivors include her children and families. Diane and Henry Vaughn, Homer, Alan and Connie Cooke, Commerce and their children, Cohen and Katie, Anna Porter, Commerce and her children, Jamie Porter and Allison Watson, Phyllis Cooke, Commerce, and daughters, Christy Epps and Dana Westmoreland, Samuel and Sandra Cooke, Commerce, and their son, J.T. Whitsel; and a brother, Pete Tallant, Roswell.

Graveside services will be held Thursday, March 26, at 11 a.m., at the Jackson Memorial Park with the Rev. Carlton Peters officiating. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Wednesday from 6 to 8 p.m., and at other times at the residence located at 435 Old Bold Springs Rd., Commerce.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Rogers Baptist Church.

Ivie Funeral Home, Commerce, is in charge of arrangements.