Mrs. Audrey Mae Cook Obituary (1931

Audrey Mae Cook, 93, passed this walk of life onto her heavenly home on Thursday, January 9, 2025, at the Landmark Nursing Home. Audrey was born in Booneville on April 2, 1931, to RC “Ike” Cartwright and Daisy Pauline Wingo Cartwright. She enjoyed sewing, taking care of her flowers and playing piano. She was an avid reader of her Bible. Mrs. Cook was a member of the Booneville First Pentecostal Church. Mrs. Cook married the love of her life, Wilford “Step” Cook, on January 2, 1951, and together they raised two sons, Jimmy Cook, Kevin Cook (Madonna); five daughters, Sandra Moak (David), Pam Storey (Jimmy), Janet Hannon (John), Kim McGaughy (Tim), and Paula Storey. She is survived by her brothers, Don Cartwright (Sherry), Harold Cartwright (Janet) and Wayne Cartwright; sisters, Bobbie Parker and Doris Laster; fourteen grandchildren; twenty-four great-grandchildren and thirty great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband; daughter, Paula Storey; brother, Charles Cartwright; sister, Lillian Starling; grandson, Carey Downs; and great-granddaughter, Lylah Grey McGaughy. Funeral Services for Audrey will be Monday, January 13, at 4:00 P.M. at Booneville Funeral Home. Visitation will be Monday, January 13 from Noon until 4:00 P.M. Bro. Jonathan Soden will be officiating. Burial will be in the Booneville Cemetery. Booneville Funeral Home will be trusted with arrangements. Pallbearers will be Dustin Cole, TJ McGaughy, Tanner Cook, Tyson Cook, Max Cook, Coty Cook, Brad Foy and Cashyn Storey. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105. Eulogy by Madonna Cook Today, we come together to honor the life of Audrey Cook, a woman of remarkable strength, resilience, and faith. She lived 93 beautiful years on this earth, and in that time, she left behind a legacy of love, determination, and unshakable faith in God. Audrey was a gypsy spirit—a free soul with a zest for life, a competitive drive, and an unyielding work ethic. She wasn’t just hardworking; she was exceptional. Her dedication to excellence earned her the title of Employee of the Year, a testament to her commitment and determination in everything she set her mind to. Her greatest achievement, though, wasn’t found in the workplace—it was in her role as a mother. Raising seven children practically on her own, Audrey poured her heart into ensuring her family had everything they needed. Every morning, no matter how early her day started, she made sure we had breakfast—chocolate gravy and biscuits lovingly prepared before she left for work. And she never forgot to leave quarters for each of us, ensuring we were taken care of even when she wasn’t physically there. As soon as she came home she prepared a hot meal for us and usually we had a few extra friends over, she never said there wasn’t enough, she just prepared the meal, some may not have noticed but she wouldn’t eat a lot times until everyone had eaten. That’s just the way she was always looking out for us and our friends. But Audrey’s love didn’t stop at meeting our physical needs. She sacrificed so much for us, but her most profound gift was the faith she instilled in each of us. She made sure we were in church every Wednesday and Sunday—whether we wanted to go or not! She understood the importance of grounding us in faith, and she lived her life as an example of what it means to walk with God. Audrey’s love for her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and great great grands was limitless. She was fierce in her devotion, always putting her family first, even when times were tough. Her gypsy spirit brought joy and vibrancy to our lives, we tried to count the number of times we moved but we are still not sure. It was her faith and her sacrifices that truly shaped us into who we are today. As we say goodbye, we know mom’s (Audrey’s) journey isn’t over. She is now with her Heavenly Father, reunited with loved ones, and undoubtedly smiling down on us with pride. Her legacy of love, faith, and hard work will live on in us, her children, grandchildren, great grands and everyone who was blessed to know her. Audrey, thank you for being the foundation of our family and the light that guided us. We will miss you deeply, but we will carry your lessons and your love with us always. Rest in peace, knowing your race was run beautifully, and you left this world better because of the life you lived.