Gwenda Relia Cook

Gwenda Relia Cook was born in Remy, Oklahoma near Liberty north of Roland to Rosena and Garland Cook both deceased. She is survived by her sisters Bernell Edwards of Sallisaw, Oklahoma, Daphene Lewis of Dinuba, California and Sheila Kumpe of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma and by her brother Jerry Cook of Mounds, Oklahoma. Her brothers Travis Cook and Branson Cook preceded her in death.

Gwenda attended grade school at Liberty, Oklahoma and High School at Roland, Oklahoma where she was the Valedictorian of her Senior Class. After High School, Gwenda moved to Tulsa and worked for Southwestern Bell Telephone where she remained until retirement. During her years with Bell she attended many night classes and achieved regular promotions. She worked several jobs after retirement including a period with Amerada Hess Petroleum.

Gwenda attended Eastside Assembly of God Church in Tulsa for many years before moving to Woodlake Assembly where she faithfully attended until her medical conditions no longer allowed it. After that, she attended in house services at Prairie House Assisted Living Center often accompanied by her sister Sheila Kumpe and her brother in law Bill.

Gwenda was a cheerful person who could light up a room. Many of her friends called her “Cookie” because of her name and her love of sweets. Though she never married, she carried a lifelong crush on Elvis Presley and his autograph was one of her most treasured possessions. Her one vice was a massive addiction to Coca Cola.

Though Gwenda had no immediate family she cherished her extended family and was extremely kind and generous to them. In her last years, some of her best days were spent visiting in the home of her niece Michelle Kumpe Schatz often playing with her grand nephew Benjamin and his half sister Ella for hours.

Gwenda left a message that she asked to be read at her funeral. She said:

“Everyone’s life has rocky roads and ups and downs but I can truthfully say I was never sorry I gave my heart to my Lord Jesus Christ. He helped me through the dark valleys and through the sunshine. The spiritual blessings far outweighed the material blessings. I hope that I have helped others find encouragement and that their faith will become stronger because of me. Serving God is a rewarding life. I could never have made it without God’s help. But, there is no hope if you do not repent and acknowledge Jesus Christ as Lord.”

Gwenda was a breast cancer survivor who knew the dark valleys of life by experience. In her latter years as dementia robbed her of her memory, she remained cheerful and even hopeful, secure in the knowledge that she would one day be with her Lord. She passed into His presence shortly before noon, December 14, 2021 at St. Johns Hospital, Tulsa with her sister Sheila and her niece Michelle at her bedside.

Gwenda will be fondly remembered.

Graveside services will be at 10:00 AM on Saturday, December 18, 2021 at Sallisaw City Cemetery in Sallisaw, Oklahoma under the direction of Agent Mallory Martin Funeral Service, Inc.