Byron Edsel Cook

Byron Edsel Cook (Poppy), 88, of Turkey Creek passed away peacefully at Bowers Hospice House, Beckley, on September 30, 2014. Born April 2, 1926 at Windom, WV, he was the fifth of eleven children born to the late Aaron Elmer Cook and Addie Stewart Cook. He was especially proud of his career of thirty years as a mine foreman at Kopperston No. 1 for Eastern Gas and Fuel. His devotion to the Turkey Creek Missionary Baptist Church was demonstrated by his service of 56 years as a deacon. He loved the outdoors and "all of God's little creatures." A dedicated family man, he was very proud of and loved to talk about his children, grandchildren, and great grand children. He was preceded in death by his first wife of 30 years, Iris Lou Church Cook, his second wife of 33 years, Juanita Mae Bailey Stafford Cook, his parents, brothers Harley, Bill, Forrest, and Frelin, sisters Maxine, Glenna, and Mary Iva. He is survived by his son Earl Cook and wife Pam of Waxhaw, NC, daughter Linda Cook Hatfield and husband Danny of Turkey Creek, and daughter Toni Cook Burns and husband Jim of Pineville. Grandchildren are Jeffrey Cook and wife Deonna of Kernersville, NC, Garrett Cook of Cody, WY, Angel Hatfield Runyon and husband Archie of Beckley, WV, Missy Hatfield Tackett and husband Jason of Charleston, WV, Nathan Burns and wife Amy of Meadow Bridge, WV, and Rebecca Burns Pawlus and husband Greg of Oak Hill, WV. Surviving siblings include a brother Alfred Cook and wife Ann, and two sisters, Juanita Barker, and Carrie Williams. Included among survivors are step-children Johnny Allen, Ray Stafford, Cindy and Mike Green, Carla and Charlie Porter, and Holly and Melton Saunders. Byron Edsel is survived by eleven great-grandchildren, and numerous beloved nieces and nephews. A celebration of Byron’s life will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, October 4, 2014 at the Turkey Creek Missionary Baptist Church with the Rev. Glenn Hatfield officiating. Burial will follow at Palm Memorial Gardens, Matheny, WV Grandsons Jeffrey, Nathan, Garrett, Tyler, Tanner, Greg, Archie, and Jason will serve as pallbearers. The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m., Friday, October 3, 2014 in the Calfee Funeral Service Chapel in Pineville. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Bowers Hospice House of Beckley or the Turkey Creek Missionary Baptist Church. Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.calfeefuneralservice.com. Calfee Funeral and Cremation Service of Pineville is serving the Cook family