Raymond M. Mccook

Raymond M. McCook, 77, went to be with his Lord and Savior on Tuesday, August 29, 2017. A Celebration of his life will be held on Saturday, September 2, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. at Bethany Baptist Church. Burial will be in Macon Memorial Park Cemetery with the Rev. Jimmy Corbitt officiating. The family will greet friends on Friday, September 1, 2017 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Macon Memorial Park Funeral Home. Flowers are accepted or donations may be made to the Epilepsy Foundation Georgia, 6065 Roswell Rd #715, Atlanta GA 30328-4030 or to the Payton Anderson Cancer Center, 800 First St., Macon GA 31201.

For nearly six decades, pianist Raymond McCook has been an integral part of gospel and church music in Macon, Georgia. He started music lessons from a private instructor at the age of 11 and later studied at the Stamps-Baxter School of Music in Dallas, Texas. Raymond developed a love for Southern gospel music and started playing, as an accomplished pianist, at a very early age. His ministry later progressed into evangelistic style piano playing, which was very evident in his music. He traveled extensively as the pianist for several well-known Southern Gospel Groups. Early on, he was the pianist for the Smile-A-While Quartet, a professional group from Macon, who had a daily radio program on WMAZ Radio. Later, he became the pianist for the Sego Brothers and Naomi and the Travelers Quartet, who were on WMAZ TV for many years. For several years he was pianist/organist for the "He Touched Me" passion play in Macon, which ministered to thousands of people each year. He also traveled with his family group, Family Reunion, later played for the Alliancemen Trio and The Gloryland Trio. For 63 years he has been the pianist for various local area churches, having served at West Macon Baptist, First Alliance Church, and Macon Evangelistic Church in Macon. He currently was serving as pianist for Bethany Baptist, a traditional church, in Bolingbroke, Georgia. Raymond was instrumental, through the Middle Georgia Red Back Book Singings, in keeping the old convention style music he loved, alive. If you enjoy gospel and traditional church music, with an evangelistic touch, you would have enjoyed listening to his music. Raymond married the love of his life, Gale and they recently celebrated 57 years of marriage in June. His wife and children were his greatest fans. Such a loving, husband, father, grandfather, friend and person to all he met.

He was predeceased by his mother and father: Melvin and Grace Holloway McCook and brother, James McCook and niece, Heather McCook

Survivors include his wife, Gale Pyles McCook, Children; Derrick (Brenda) McCook, Radena (Mark) Lane, Grandchildren:; Racara (Luke) Mastervick, Meredith McCook, Caleb Lane, Adison Lane and Great Grandchildren; Jadelyn and Whit Mastervick. Sister; Margaret Justice and Nephews; Dennis McCook, Keith and Gary Justice.

The family would like to express their thanks to Pine Pointe Hospice, their nurses, and staff for their love and support during this time.

Visit www.maconmp.com to express condolences.

Macon Memorial Park Funeral Home and Cemetery has charge of the arrangements.