Alma "Joan" Cook

Joan was born October 2, 1928 in WV to William “Bill” and Bernalene (Enicks) Legg. She was one of eight children and the youngest daughter of Bill and Bernalene. As a baby, she was so beautiful that her father nicknamed her “Beautiful Doll,” which over the years became shortened to “Boots.”

Joan was a cheerleader at Poca High School and grew up singing in churches and theatres around her hometown of Bancroft, WV. She sang at weddings, funerals, church functions and special events and was known for her beautiful soprano voice. She starred in plays such as “Here Comes Charlie,” and loved everything about performing.

She married Charles Cook in 1947 and settled in a home they built near her parents in Bancroft, where Lynn “Paulette” and Charles “Chuck” Mitchell were born. The family relocated to Oxford, Ohio in the early 1960s and Lisa Priscilla joined the family shortly after.

As well as being a fiercely loving mother to her three children, she led an impressive career managing operations for multiple dining halls and dormitories at Miami University of Ohio before moving to Florida, where she worked for Sea World, Orlando managing food services.

She is survived by her family members - Lynn “Paulette” Stringfellow, son-in law Howard Stringfellow, Charles M. Cook, Lisa Orton, son-in-law Justin Orton, grandchildren Mitchell Cook, Jason Cook, John Harvey and Morgan Harvey, and great-grandchildren Bryce Cook, Whitney Cook and Dylan Harvey.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in her name, Alma Joan Cook, to the Alzheimer’s Association.

Arrangements under the direction of Grissom Funeral Home and Crematory, Kissimmee, FL.