Obituaries
Obituary for Kay Miller Cook
Kay Miller Cook, 65, died January 29, 2018.
Kay Elizabeth Miller Cook was born in Memphis, Tennessee on December 22, 1952 to proud parents, Ernest and Mayme Miller. Growing up in the Heart of Soulsville, she attended Lutheran Cooperative, Carnes Elementary and graduated from Hamilton High in 1970. Nicknamed “Straight A Kay”, she excelled academically and played the flute in the Marching Band, was a member of the Waterford Theatrical Guilde, Future Teachers of America and Les Dames Charmants.
Kay was baptized and confirmed in faith at Calvary Lutheran Church under the leadership of Dr. DeWitt Robinson. She treasured the warm fellowship of her church family and especially loved helping to stage the church’s elaborate plays, talent shows, and family activities. One of her favorite memories was of a duet performance with her mother of Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong’s “Let’s Call the Whole Thing Off”. As a charter member of Cross of Calvary Lutheran Church, she served as chair of the school board, sang in the choir, taught Sunday School and served in countless other capacities.
Inspired by the teachings of Dr. Robinson, Kay’s initial plans were to become a global Christian missionary. However, after earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Education from Concordia Teachers College (Seward, NE), she decided to pursue a career in teaching. Hailing from five generations of distinguished educators who were strong advocates for academic excellence, she delighted in becoming a part of that cherished tradition. She later obtained a Master of Science Degree in Counseling from Memphis State University.
Her teaching career began at St. Phillips Lutheran School in Detroit, MI. Returning to Memphis, she held teaching positions at Grahamwood Elementary, Westhaven Elementary, Magnolia Elementary, and Peabody Elementary. At the time of her retirement in 2006, she served as guidance counselor at Peabody Elementary. She was beloved by students, administrators, colleagues, and support staff. After retirement, she returned to Peabody as a volunteer.
On April 7 2001, Kay married Charles S. Cook III. They would spend the next seventeen years enjoying life - traveling the globe, hosting family events and doting on their grandchildren.
As a devoted mother, Kay spent most of her free time shuttling her three children to and fro to their various activities – from ballet classes, to swim meets, to tennis tournaments. She was an active member of the Steering Committee for the Hamilton High School Class of 1970. Her interests included dancing, playing board games. She especially enjoyed traveling, going to movies attending seasonal partys, riding motorcycles and boating with her husband, Chuck.
On January 29, 2018, her spirit was reunited with the spirits of many loved ones including her parents; daughter, Jana Marie Keys; sister, Belita McKissick; brother, Ernest Miller, Jr. and nephew, Mark Miller. She leaves a loving and devoted husband, Charles S. Cook III; daughter, Sondra (Frank) Wade of Nashville, TN; son, David L. Keys Jr. of Chicago, IL; grandchildren, Kaley Brown and Bryson Coffer; sisters, Gail Taylor and Janet (Tim) Evans of Danville, CA; uncle, Clarence (Erdine) Jordan. Kay also leaves her stepchildren, Maurice B. Cook, Natasha Brechell Copeland (Russell) and Tarik Steven Cook, and a host of dear family and friends.
Serenity Funeral Home, Tel. (901) 379-0861.
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Kay Elizabeth Miller Cook was born in Memphis, Tennessee on December 22, 1952 to proud parents, Ernest and Mayme Miller. Growing up in the Heart of Soulsville, she attended Lutheran Cooperative, Carnes Elementary and graduated from Hamilton High in 1970. Nicknamed “Straight A Kay”, she excelled academically and played the flute in the Marching Band, was a member of the Waterford Theatrical Guilde, Future Teachers of America and Les Dames Charmants.
Kay was baptized and confirmed in faith at Calvary Lutheran Church under the leadership of Dr. DeWitt Robinson. She treasured the warm fellowship of her church family and especially loved helping to stage the church’s elaborate plays, talent shows, and family activities. One of her favorite memories was of a duet performance with her mother of Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong’s “Let’s Call the Whole Thing Off”. As a charter member of Cross of Calvary Lutheran Church, she served as chair of the school board, sang in the choir, taught Sunday School and served in countless other capacities.
Inspired by the teachings of Dr. Robinson, Kay’s initial plans were to become a global Christian missionary. However, after earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Education from Concordia Teachers College (Seward, NE), she decided to pursue a career in teaching. Hailing from five generations of distinguished educators who were strong advocates for academic excellence, she delighted in becoming a part of that cherished tradition. She later obtained a Master of Science Degree in Counseling from Memphis State University.
Her teaching career began at St. Phillips Lutheran School in Detroit, MI. Returning to Memphis, she held teaching positions at Grahamwood Elementary, Westhaven Elementary, Magnolia Elementary, and Peabody Elementary. At the time of her retirement in 2006, she served as guidance counselor at Peabody Elementary. She was beloved by students, administrators, colleagues, and support staff. After retirement, she returned to Peabody as a volunteer.
On April 7 2001, Kay married Charles S. Cook III. They would spend the next seventeen years enjoying life - traveling the globe, hosting family events and doting on their grandchildren.
As a devoted mother, Kay spent most of her free time shuttling her three children to and fro to their various activities – from ballet classes, to swim meets, to tennis tournaments. She was an active member of the Steering Committee for the Hamilton High School Class of 1970. Her interests included dancing, playing board games. She especially enjoyed traveling, going to movies attending seasonal partys, riding motorcycles and boating with her husband, Chuck.
On January 29, 2018, her spirit was reunited with the spirits of many loved ones including her parents; daughter, Jana Marie Keys; sister, Belita McKissick; brother, Ernest Miller, Jr. and nephew, Mark Miller. She leaves a loving and devoted husband, Charles S. Cook III; daughter, Sondra (Frank) Wade of Nashville, TN; son, David L. Keys Jr. of Chicago, IL; grandchildren, Kaley Brown and Bryson Coffer; sisters, Gail Taylor and Janet (Tim) Evans of Danville, CA; uncle, Clarence (Erdine) Jordan. Kay also leaves her stepchildren, Maurice B. Cook, Natasha Brechell Copeland (Russell) and Tarik Steven Cook, and a host of dear family and friends.
Serenity Funeral Home, Tel. (901) 379-0861.
Previous Events
Visitation
Monday
5
Feb
4:00 PM
- 6:00 PM
Serenity Funeral Home
1638 Sycamore View Road
Memphis, TN 38134
Service
Tuesday
6
Feb
12:00 PM
Cross of Calvary Lutheran Church
4327 Elvis Presley Blvd.
Memphis, TN 38116
Cemetery Details
Location
West Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery
4000 Forest Hill Irene Road
Memphis, TN 38125
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