Bernice Anne Cookson

Bernice Anne Cookson, who we otherwise refer to as Mom, Grandma or Meece, was delivered at home by her Granny Ivy Young on Jan 29th,1942 in Gore, Oklahoma. Her parents were Don and Ruby Ballard. As a toddler, her family moved to her childhood home on top of Bluff Ave in Tahlequah, where she grew up with her siblings Sandra, Son, Ricky, Shirley, Charlie, and Brenda. In 1959, she married Floyd Hathcoat, and born of the marriage were her children Andy Hathcoat, Sandie Hathcoat, and Wesley Hathcoat. Then in the early ‘70’s she was lucky enough to marry the love of her life, David Cookson. They moved outside of town to the Welling area where the marriage produced Jennifer Cookson, Bernadette Cookson, Uriah Cookson, and Damien Cookson. The house at Welling was truly a home. It is where she raised all of her children; it was where the family gatherings were held; it was where the adult children could always come home to; it was a place that always had a manicured yard, some children playing outside, and something good to eat cooking on the stove, which probably included beans, fried taters, or some form of goulash.

Some of Bernice’s favorite days were spent raking and burning leaves, playing with grandchildren in the yard, and porch sitting for hours with a cup of coffee telling stories that were filled with witty humor and lots of hard laughing. And whether it was cars, army men or something else, all of the grandchildren at some point let their imaginations run while playing with their grandmother around the roots of that big maple tree in the front yard. Meece loved to garden, and it was common for her to have a bouquet of cut flowers. She was an avid reader, with a strong leaning towards true crime, and “trash mags” aka tabloid magazines. She was a talented artist that enjoyed the escape of drawing and painting, with an affinity for getting lost in the shades of orange while creating sunsets. She seldom turned down the chance to go junking, whether it was to a flea market or a Saturday yard sale, where she was always on the lookout for small dolls or angels. If you went out of an evening, you were likely walking in on a forensic/murder show, Jerry Springer, American Idol, or an episode of Ice Road Truckers.

Meece had that magical ability to make a meal out of nothing, and it always tasted good. And everyone here that believes their grandma makes the best fried chicken, possesses that fallacy only because they were not lucky enough to ever get to eat Meece’s fried chicken. And she took pride in cooking the family’s holiday meals from scratch all the way up until she was no longer able. Fried sweet potatoes, squash and green tomatoes, spiral ham, corn dodgers, potato salad, fry bread, raisin pies, baconed green beans, always followed by a square of Sac’s Mississippi mud cake and a cup of coffee. There was always a pot of coffee, every hour of the day, and she would often remind you to go help yourself to a cup. Every grandkid at some point was held on her hip while she cooked, would get a little coffee in their milk, and occasionally ate a bowl of straight gravy. Although always a homemaker first, professionally Bernice retired as a certified nurse assistant. She worked several of those years alongside her sister Sandra, where they had fun taking care of their patients, and pulling shenanigans on each other along the way.

With Meece, her grandchildren were always first. At different times, she kept all of them either during the summers, or before their school years began. She was their favorite playmate, and they were the light of her life.

Bernice is preceded in death by her parents Don and Ruby Ballard; her siblings Shirley Baskin, Charles Ballard, Brenda Swepston, and Nita Ballard; her husband David Cookson; and her daughter Jennifer Cookson.

Bernice is survived by her children Andy Hathcoat, Sandie Hathcoat, Wesley Hathcoat, Bernadette Sloan, Uriah Cookson, and Damien Cookson; her grandchildren Rhea Fears, Heather Baker, Skylar Green, John Hathcoat, Ryan Cookson, Blake Cookson, Jesten Simmons, and Caleb Simmons; great grandchildren Ayla Fears, Avrie Baker, Hayes Green, Brynnleigh Cookson, Kutler Cookson, Rowen Cookson, Sadie Simmons, and Asa Simmons; and a whole host of extended family and dear friends.

A visitation for Bernice will be held Tuesday, October 15, 2024 from 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM at Reed-Culver Funeral Home, 117 West Delaware Street, Tahlequah, OK. A funeral service will occur Wednesday, October 16, 2024 at 1:00 PM at Reed-Culver Funeral Home.

Bernice will be laid to rest in Levi Cookson Cemetery, 18413 West 874 Road, Park Hill, Oklahoma.

Serving as pallbearers are Ryan Cookson, Blake Cookson, Skylar Green, Jesten Simmons, Caleb Simmons, John Hathcoat, BJ Baker and Joe Sloan.