- Date Of Birth: November 18, 1940
- Date Of Death: May 5, 2020
- State: Georgia
Psalm 90:12 reminds the reader of this truth, “Help us to remember that our days are numbered and help us to interpret our lives correctly. Set your wisdom deeply in our hearts so that we may accept your correction”. Joyce Juanita Bradford began her life journey on November 18, 1940 when she was born the child of the late Clarence J. and Florence Lorraine Collins Bradford. In Atlanta. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her sibling Harold Bradford. Joyce, for all her life, was a woman who fully engaged herself in the life of her family, her occupation, her church and her friends. She became the wife of James Michael “Mike” Cook. Mike operated a service station and car repair business for many years and Joyce enjoyed being a part of that business in whatever position in the company she could lend her considerable talents. She would later accept employment with the K-Mart Corporation and served as the personnel manager for their large store in Forest Park which she served for many years and later retired She and Mike suffered the loss of a child, James Michael Cook, Jr.. Joyce, would go on to have three additional sons and rather than being crippled by such a loss, would throw herself into the remarkably busy life of motherhood and raising her sons. There were opportunities for her to be involved in scouting, serving as a leader. Her sons became sports enthusiasts and Joyce would always be in the stands cheering the loudest for her boys while Mike served as a coach. Joyce Cook was a woman of deep faith in her God. It was an easy transition for her to change her ball cap and scout cap on Sunday to become a Sunday school teacher for their church in Riverdale. After leaving Riverdale and settling in Franklin, Georgia, she freely gave of herself to her church there. She was possessed of a deep servant spirit and found ways to share her love for others in her church’s women’s groups by providing leadership in clothing drives, the food pantry and preparing the traditional Thanksgiving meal every holiday. She would find great peace in her walk with God and loved travelling to see the many wonders of His creation. While her love of God was always her greatest priority in life, her family gave her great joy for all the days of her life. She lead by example in the lives of her sons Eddie Lamar Cook and his wife Ann Thompson Cook, David Alan Cook and his wife Jonna Barner Cook, and her son with whom she made her home the last years of her life, Gregory Scott Cook. She adored her grandchildren Shane Christopher Cook and his wife Stephanie Lyle Cook, Dana Elizabeth Cook Kaplan and her husband Kyle Kaplan, Thomas Michael Cook and Samuel Elliot Cook, Additional grandchildren by marriage, Glenn and Nicole Walker, Jennifer Walker Tedder and Tony Tedder. She found so much joy in her great grandchildren MaKenzy and Liam Cook, she was predeceased by a great grandson, Caden Michael Cook. Additional grandchildren by marriage Madisyn and Brayden Tedder, Hayden and Harrison Walker. Joyce was cherished by her sister Sharon Bradford Thompson and husband Ken and was a major influence in Sharon’s life during her formative years. Sharon would always give Joyce credit in shaping her life. She is also survived by her brother Bill Bradford, wife Bert Bradford deceased, Steve and Eve Bradford, and sister-in-law Vickie Bradford. Joyce reveled in the companionship of her large extended family of nieces, nephews and cousins.
