Cook celebrates 100th birthday
After a century of living, Thelma Cook can still crochet and recite her ABC’s backwards.
She was born in Louisville as Thelma Etta Smith on June 24, 1910. She was raised in Milltown and is the last surviving of seven siblings.
Many of Mrs. Cook’s most precious memories include family, from her siblings and parents during her childhood to her role as a wife, mother and caretaker for family who needed her.
As a child, Mrs. Cook and her sister Lois would fish with their father. She still remembers the catfish her father caught on one trip.
“It’s a wonder we didn’t drown daddy,” her sister Lois said while she smiled.
Mrs. Cook sewed while growing up. She would sit on the porch of her family’s house and sew. One of her sisters, Mary, did not want Mrs. Cook to get the house messy with her materials.
“She didn’t want me sewing in the house,” Mrs. Cook said.
Mrs. Cook said it was her job every evening to crochet and sew. She still enjoys crocheting and sewing today.
At age 19, Mrs. Cook met her husband, Melvin Cook. They married and moved to Louisville where she worked at a t-shirt factory. They returned to Adair County 76 years ago and Mrs. Cook has since spent her days as a homemaker caring for her family, recalls daughter Dorris Rodder.
“It’s been her goal in life to take care of others,” Ms. Rodder said.
As a child in school, Mrs. Cook would help take care of the younger students. She remembers speaking out to a teacher about a young boy who was sitting on a stump.
“She wanted to make him play,” Mrs. Cook said. “I told her once he gets acquainted with us, he’ll want to play. She ate into me for that, but I didn’t care.”
When their mother died, Mrs. Cook helped raise her sister Elizabeth and her brothers, Richard and James.
“I was busy all the time,” Mrs. Cook said. “I loved my brother and sisters, and they loved me too.”
As an adult, she also helped raise a nephew and an elderly lady, Ms. Ann Morrison.
Mrs. Cook called Ms. Morrison “Granny.” She cared for the woman for eight years and also took care of Ms. Morrison’s father.
Mrs. Cook now resides at Summit Manor Health and Rehabilitation Center. She moved there in July 2009.
This past Thursday, June 24, Summit Manor helped Mrs. Cook celebrate her 100th birthday.
Friends and family attended the event. One friend, Tommy, made a surprise visit.
Tommy is Mrs. Cook’s “kitty cat,” she said. Tommy was another one in need who found love and kindness from Mrs. Cook. He showed up at her house as a stray before she moved to Summit Manor. Family members caught Tommy so he could share in the birthday celebration.
“He used to peck at the winder (window) and peck at the winder,” said Cook.
Mrs. Cook remains active and participates in exercises at Summit Manor. She continues to crochet and sew each day.
“I’ll keep goin’,” said Cook.
Cook said she would continue to keep going until her time comes.
“I’m not afraid to meet the Savior,” she said. “That’s the best thing of all.”
By Dean Childers
Voice Intern
