A little about Joan:
She was born December 4, 1932 as Joan Cynthia McBride in Muscatine, IA the youngest of 9 children.  She was raised on the family farm leaving at the age of 18 to attend nursing school.  She met and married James Cook in Iowa where all 5 of her children were born: James Laurel, Jonathan Kelly, Joan Cynthia, Jean Marie and Julia Lea.  The family moved in 1963 to follow her husband's career to Northern California and proceeded through the child raising years to move from there to Southern California, Indiana and finally Atlanta, GA.  She returned to the nursing career she love so much in 1972 and spent that career working with rehabilitation patients until she retired in the late 1990's.  She and Jim, when he retired, built their dream house on Lake Lanier where she lived until the mid-2000's and after the death of Jim.  She then moved to Cumming, GA to be close to her oldest, Jim.

She was a very self-reliant and strong individual and taught her children to be the same.  Having been raised on a farm at the tail end of the Great Recession, she was no nonsense, never complained and lived a simple life.  She asked for little but was always ready to give a lot. She was smart as a whip and she played a mean game of cards until the day she died.  She centered her life around her family including her 16 grandchildren and as her one grandchild told her at the family reunion this summer, Grandma, you are surrounded by love and indeed she was.

So sorry to hear of your loss.  May God bless your family and give you strength.
Joan was a very sweet lady.  I did not know we shared birthdays and proud she was my birthday sister. Patsy Grant of Ballantrae

To my cousins 
I will always have nothing but fond memories of both your mom and dad. When you all first moved to Carmel we all became best friends instantly.  I always enjoyed your mom's humor which continued in her emails to me. I'll never forget the times I visited Atlanta.  I know that it was a struggle for her to come see me but she made the effort to see me anyway. I did and always will cherish seeing her smile, having her love, hearing her laugh and learning from her great sense of humor. My prayers are for your mom and dad and I hope they are together with our Lord and Savior. 

Kevin

Mom, I always called you The Dame because you lived your life your way, never took anything from anybody, and never apologized. You taught me to stand up for myself, to go for the brass ring, and to never make excuses. Because of you, I was a better Mother and because of the lessons you taught, I am a better therapist. I learned from you, I respected you, I loved you. That is all for now Mom . . . more to come.

Mom,

What a great blessing you were to the San Roman Family!  It was through you that God blessed me with Julie and five of your grandchildren and a host of wonderful cousins.  You and Dad accepted me like second parents. Mom I'm thankful that you don't have to worry about your router and computer anymore and neither do I!  Julie and I were honored to be able to help you and comfort you while God arranged your ride home. And Mom, don't play cards with Him; you know that He always wins!
much love, Rick

OBITUARY

Joan Mcbride Cook

4 December, 1932 – 29 November, 2015

Memphis Funeral Home

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