Private services are planned for Melinda Joy Cook, 55, of Temple. Ms. Cook died Saturday at her residence.Ms. Cook was born May 5, 1962 in Long Beach, California to Marcellus Newkirk and Margaret Bettyjean Butler Newkirk. She was a homemaker and moved to Temple from Arkansas 5 years ago.Survivors include two sisters Marsha Honomichl of Colorado and Tammy Elifrits of Temple and three brothers Marcellus Newkirk of Baytown, David Newkirk of Bryan and James Newkirk of Dallas. Also surviving is a special friend Kenny Craighill of Temple. Scanio-Harper Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
