Esther Cook

Mr. Esther William Cook, 97, of Statesville, passed away peacefully Saturday, November 29, 2014 at the Gordon Hospice House surrounded by his loving family. He was born in Wilkes County on April 28, 1917 to the late Harrison Ennis Cook and Mattie Johnson Cook. Mr. Cook attended Iredell County Schools and married Virginia Lee Lippard Cook on September 3, 1942. They enjoyed 63 years of marriage before her passing on November 4, 2005. He served in the U.S. Army during WWII from 1940 until 1945. He served in Normandy, Northern France, and the Rhineland receiving three Bronze Service Stars before his discharge. He was a heating and air condition technician for over 50 years. He retired from Parlier Plumbing and Heating after many years of service. Mr. Cook was a member of Faith Baptist Church and cared for his loving wife for six years before her passing. He was an avid bass fisherman and loved using his lures that he made by hand. He loved his family, grandchildren, great grandchildren and the Atlanta Braves. In addition to his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by one daughter, Linda C. Anderson in 2001, six sisters, and one brother. Surviving to cherish his memory are one son, Sammy W. Cook (Martha) of Iron Station, NC, one daughter, Cathy C. McNeely (Carl) of Statesville, four grandchildren, John G. Anderson (Jennifer), Sarah McNeely Evans (Jason), David Cook, Ricky McNeely, three great grandchildren, Hayley Anderson, Hannah McNeely Evans, Joshuah Evans, expected great granddaughter in January 2015 and one sister, Wilma C. Fox of Cleveland, NC. Funeral services will be conducted 11:00 AM Thursday, December 4, 2014 in the Nicholson Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Dr. Scott Eanes officiating. Burial with full military honors provided by the Iredell County Veterans Burial Detail will follow in Oakwood Cemetery. Active pallbearers will be Tony Cook, Mike Barnette, Jason Evans, David Cook, Dorman Clanton, and Ricky McNeely. The family will visit with friends Wednesday evening from 6:00 until 8:00 PM at Nicholson Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to Gordon Hospice House, 2341 Simonton Rd., Statesville, NC 28625 or to Meals on Wheels, P.O. Box 344, Statesville, NC 28687-0344. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.nicholsonfunerals.com and Nicholson Funeral Home is serving the family of Mr. Cook.