Wilma Cook Fox

Mrs. Wilma Cook Fox, affectionately known by her grandchildren as Mamaw, left her Earthly home to join loved ones in heaven on Sunday, April 6, 2025. She was surrounded by her family and beloved cat as she passed peacefully at her home in Cleveland, North Carolina.

Wilma was born on March 16, 1929, in Statesville, North Carolina, to the late Harrison Enis Cook and Mattie Johnson Cook. She attended Celeste Henkel High School and spent many years working as a professional seamstress. In her younger years, Wilma was also an avid bowler.

After retiring, she spent her time quilting, embroidering, and baking for her loved ones. Her family looked forward to her Christmas candy every year, and they will continue to honor her memory through her cherished holiday recipes. She was a member of Cleveland First Baptist Church, where she is remembered for leading the Paul Fox Bible study.

She was preceded in death by her late husband Paul J. Fox, her brothers Esther and Raymond Cook, her sisters Maggie Campbell, Dorothy Salmons, Carrie Lou Horne, Mary Baker, Margaret Harwell, and Pearl Thomas, and the father of her children, Hugh Barnette.

Wilma was the warm, loving heart of a large family of whom she was incredibly proud. She is survived by her son, Mike Barnette, wife Joy, of Cleveland, NC and daughter Karen Barnette, husband Helge Eng of Loomis, CA, as well as grandchildren Michelle Barnette Nance, husband Tim Nance and son Garret of Salisbury, NC; Melissa Barnette, husband Davey Prevette and daughter Calli of Cleveland, NC; Annie Mobley, husband Bradley Mobley and children Bryson and Mallory of Mooresville, NC; and Maia Eng, Julie Eng, and Leif Eng, all of California, along with many nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends from 6 - 8 p.m. on Tuesday, April 8th at Bunch-Johnson Funeral Home in Statesville, NC. A funeral followed by graveside service will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday, April 9th at Cleveland First Baptist Church, Cleveland, NC. At all other times, the family will be gathered at the home of Wilma’s son and his wife.

The family would like to extend thanks to Anita Heggins, Charlotte Ausborne, Akirra Winston, Vivian Harris, Lisa Hodge, Janithina Borha, Sarah Bowden, Traci Summers, Michelle Lee, Penny Knox, and Hospice & Palliative Care of Iredell County for providing Wilma care and friendship in her final years.

Friends wishing to make memorials in honor of Mrs. Wilma Cook Fox may do so to Hospice & Palliative Care of Iredell County, 2347 Simonton Road, Statesville, NC 28625.

Condolences may be left online at www.bunchjohnsonfuneralhome.com.

Bunch-Johnson Funeral Home is honored to be serving the Fox family.