Tamara "Tammy" Jane (Moretz) Cooke

Tamara Jane Cooke 61 of Hickory went home to meet her Lord and Savior on August 18, 2024. Tammy was born March 27, 1963 to the late Harley and Jane Moretz. Tammy was raised in the Bethlehem Community and was a graduate of Alexander Central High School. Tammy was married to James Dean Cooke Jr for 40 years. He was her high school love whom she started dating in the seventh grade. God blessed their marriage with 2 children: Courtney Jane Rockett (daughter) and husband Matthew of Bethlehem and Austin James Cooke (son) of Hickory and his partner Marissa Seville. They have 6 beautiful grandchildren who brought Tammy great joy (Presley Jane, Kyleigh-Mae, Paisley, Waden James, Talen and Ryker). Tammy loved the Lord and served alongside her husband at the Fountain of Life Worship Center in Conover. She loved listening to worship music and especially hearing her daughter sing for the Lord. Tammy was a Registered Nurse by trade and had a lifelong passion for nursing. She worked at Hickory Cardiology Associates for 41 years. She loved her job, her coworkers and loved helping her patients. One of her greatest accomplishments was assisting with the Watchman procedure program. She enjoyed being outside and watching her grandkids play. Tammy had a large smile that would light up the room and a belly laugh that was like none other. She loved to shop and was never still.

Tammy was preceded in death by both her parents earlier this year. Those left to cherish her precious memories include her husband and children listed above and her siblings: Dale Moretz (brother) and his wife Jamie of Hickory, and Hollie Sue Dockery (sister) and her husband Allen of Hickory. Brenda Cooke (mother-in-law) of Bethlehem, Jody Cooke (brother-in-law) of Conover, Ginny Farris (sister-in-law) and husband Tim of Valdese, and Billie Walker (sister-in-law) and husband Brian of Hiddenite. Tammy had 11 nieces and nephews who loved her dearly. Tammy also had a lot of special friends who meant a lot to her over the years and who have been by her side almost daily.

Tammy was caught off-guard in February of this year when she was diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer but she fought it hard up until the end. One of her last statements was, “as long as I have breath, I have hope”. Her presence will be greatly missed by those who love her but also celebrate the fact that she is at peace with her Creator. Tammy never really wore black, she always loved bright colors so the family would love for everyone to honor Tammy by wearing bright colors to the Celebration of Tammy’s life.

The family will receive friends on Saturday, August 24, 2024 from 1:00 pm to 2:45 pm at Fountain of Life Worship Center, 2309 Emmanuel Church Road, Conover, NC 28613. A Celebration of Tammy’s Life follow at 3:00 pm. The burial will be in church cemetery.

Memorials may be made to Fountain of Life Worship Center, 2309 Emmanuel Church Road, Conover, NC 28613.