Robert Perry "R.P." Cooke ~ 2007

Daily Advance Sep 5, 2007








Robert Perry "R.P." Cooke, 82, of 1041 Northside Road, Elizabeth City, died
Monday, Sept. 3, 2007, after several years of declining health. 
Mr. Cooke was born April 14, 1925, in Halifax County to Charles Wesley 
Cooke and Cookie Powell Cooke. He and his twin brother, Tab, were the 
youngest of seven brothers and sisters. 
Trooper Cooke served the Albemarle area of eastern North Carolina for 40 
years. 
From 1951-79, Cooke served as a North Carolina highway patrolman. He was 
stationed mainly in Elizabeth City and served rotating shifts on the 
northern Outer Banks. His many and colorful Patrol stories included 
discovering moonshine stills, rescue efforts during the famous Ash 
Wednesday storm of the early 1960s, and chauffeuring governors. 
In 1980, he was appointed a magistrate in Pasquotank County of the 1st 
Judicial District, serving until 1991. 
He was a member of Berea Baptist Church and New Lebanon Masonic Lodge #314.
Cooke was also a World War II veteran, having served in the U.S. Navy in 
New Guinea and the Philippines. 
His friendly nature and quick wit will be missed by all who knew him. 
Cooke is survived by his wife of 46 years, Janet Hunter Cooke; two daughters 
and their families, Judy and Michael McCreery of Garner, and their children, 
Ashley and Scott; Barbara and Mark Batten of Rocky Mount, and daughter, 
Morgan. 
Cooke is also survived by a sister, Louise Lowman of Roanoke Rapids, and 
many nieces and nephews. 
He was preceded in death by brothers Bill, Tab, Sanford and Wesley Cooke, 
and a sister, Virginia Parrish. 
A funeral service will be held Thursday, Sept. 6 at 2 p.m. at Berea Baptist
Church with the Rev. Glenn Greenway officiating. 
Burial will follow in Memory Gardens Cemetery. 
The family will receive friends Wednesday from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at 
Twiford Funeral Home, 405 East Church St., Elizabeth City. 
Memorial contributions be made to the Berea Baptist Church Family Life 
Center Building Fund, 2033 North Road St., Elizabeth City, NC 27909. 
Twiford Funeral Home, 405 East Church St., Elizabeth City, N.C. is assisting 
the Cooke family with arrangements.



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