Johnny Cook

Johnny Mitchell Cook, age 72, of Morganton, passed away Wednesday, November 23, 2022, at his home.

He was born in Carrollton, Georgia, March 15, 1950, to the late James Monroe Cook and Margie Bonnell Pyles Cook.

Johnny was preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Felicia Cook; and sister, Sheila Cook.

Johnny’s obituary from the one who knew him most: Johnny was a gentle giant. Gentle in the way he lived and cared for his family and a giant in the depth of his character. Family was the center of his life from the time of his youth spent with cousins as close as siblings in simple fun like fishing and making homemade ice-cream, and throughout our fifty-four years of married life with children, grandchildren, and great grands. He was the center of all this with his stories and songs and fun way of making music with anything to hand; sometimes even with those big hands of his with a clap, knee-slap, finger-snap rhythm-making. Our lives knew many troubles, but together, with God’s help we soldiered on. Another gift he had was humor and it gave light in all the dark places. That is in fact, what made me begin to love him, before I knew much at all about him. He worked at many jobs to make a living, from driving big-rigs to cutting collard greens. He was a humble man with no interest in pretenses, just honest hard work to take care of his family. The Church was the center of most of his adult life; and even though the latter years were more centered here in our mountain home, he kept his faith deep and true. He took care of both parents in the most loving and honorable way, even taking an early retirement so that he could spend more time with his mother whose health declined to the point of needing to be in a nursing home. He was a loving husband and always supported me in art making and teaching. Such as giving his honest critique so that I could see what wasn’t working in an artwork, to building a support base for a big sculpture on commission, and understanding the benefit of traveling to participate in art conferences and training sessions. And the loving care he gave our children was something from storybooks. He took them all fishing and hunting and walked all over these mountains with them; and even on long trips in the big rig. He had the patience of a saint when everything would go wrong, no matter what. Although many do not know it, he was a writer as well as a musician. He could play almost any instrument he had time to play around with. He could fit a song to any situation as if he had a music encyclopedia in his head. Our home was brightened every time he brought out his guitar. He loved when the grandchildren took an interest in music. Johnny lived his life of simple joys such as loving on the cats, feeding the deer and raccoons, and faithfully loving his wife and all the children whether grown or babies. He never voiced any regrets of wishing it had been more. Shortly before his death he tallied it all up by saying, “I have had a good life.”

Johnny is survived by his wife, Angie Cook; children, Wendy Cook, Jody Cook, and Melinda “Meme” Cook; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Maria and Donald Smith; grandchildren, Angelia (Nathan) Hughes, Takeshia (Russell) Smith, Lee (Hannah) McCorkel, Cassandra Long, Jonathan (Kayla) Cook, Travis (Maria) Long, Austin Arp, Jessi Davis, Savannah Cook, Toby Davis, and Region Cook; great-grandchildren, Eli Hughes, Kiersten McCorkel, Kinley McCorkel, William McCorkel, Caroline Hughes, Joseph McCorkel, Freya Long, Julia Smith, Skyler Cook, Asmund Long, and Serenity Cook; and numerous nieces, nephews, and other family also survive.

Funeral services were conducted Sunday, November 27, 2022, at 12 p.m. from Oak Grove Baptist Church, 4325 Hwy. 92, Acworth, Georgia, 30102, with the Rev. Nathan Smith and the Rev. Autry Dean officiating.

Music was provided by Thomas Smith and Caleb Smith. Interment followed in the church cemetery. Pallbearers were Lee McCorkel, Jonathan Cook, Travis Long, Austin Arp, Eli Hughes, Russell Smith, Henry Cross, and Keith “Rat” Tipton.

Condolences may be sent to the family online at www.akinscobb.com.

Akins-Cobb Funerals & Cremations of Copperhill was in charge of the arrangements.