James Robert Cook

Rev. James Robert Cook, Sr. (affectionately known as Brother Jimmy to many) was the eldest of three sons born to Dr. James Murray Cook and Myra Holloway Cook on March 18, 1922 in Sardis, Georgia. As early as age 10, Jimmy Cook felt God calling him to preach. He resisted the call and dedicated himself to pursuing a career after graduation from Newberry College in South Carolina with a Bachelor of Science degree in pre-med. He was a radio announcer in Spartanburg, SC and Chicago before he came to Columbus in 1946 to manage radio station WGBA, where he had a morning radio show called Cook's Coffee Counter, and listeners knew him as "Country Boy." However, the Lord was still calling him to full-time Christian service.

In 1948, he met Dorothy Moye, and it was love on their first date. He became a sought-after lay speaker at Baptist and Methodist churches in the area - three churches in one week asked him to become their minister. He was surprised when a talk at Northside Baptist Church resulted in an invitation to pastor their church. He turned them down at first, but accepted two weeks later, beginning what would be a three-year ministry, while continuing his job at the radio station. He eventually took a leave of absence to enter Southwestern Theological Seminary in Ft. Worth, TX.

Brother Jimmy's first sermon at the Columbus Baptist Association's little Morningside mission was preached in a four-room house. He accepted the newly-formed church's call in August 1952. He served as pastor of Morningside Baptist Church for 41 years. After retiring from Morningside, he served as interim pastor of Gentian Baptist Church in Columbus, GA for 2 years, pastor of Woodland Baptist Church in Woodland, GA for 8 years, and retired (again) from Roosevelt Memorial Church in Pine Mountain Valley, GA in October 2013, after serving as pastor for 5 years.

Brother Jimmy's caring and concern have resulted in positions of community and religious leadership, including: moderator of the Columbus Baptist Association; Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Pastoral Institute; the Bradley Center Board of Trustees; President of the Columbus-Phenix City Ministerial Alliance; member of the Columbus-Fort Benning Civilian-Military Alliance; and Vice Chairman of the Administration Committee of the Executive Committee of the Georgia Baptist Convention.

Father of three, "Granddaddy" to 7 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren, Jimmy Cook deeply loved, and was loved by, both his family and congregations. However, he admitted without hesitation that his most cherished earthly relationship was with Dorothy, his wife of 65 years. He spent the last day of his life at Columbus Hospice House, surrounded by his friends and family.

Brother Jimmy is survived by his wife Dorothy Moye Cook; daughter Susan (Pete) Cook-Gaither and sons James Robert Cook, Jr. of Hamilton, GA and his wife Donna; son John Leslie Cook, Sr. of Columbus, GA and his wife Melissa (Missy); grandchildren Jessica Gaither Vandett and her husband Jared; Cynthia Gaither Wallace and her husband Sevon; April Cook Camp and her husband Josh; John Leslie Cook, Jr. and his wife Marlena; Kathryn (Katie) Cook Grimsley and her husband Shane; Jenny C. Cook and her husband Logan; and Emily Cook Schultz and her husband Randy; and great-grandchildren Zoe Vandett; Angel and Austin Rios; Issac, Johnathan, and Christopher Wallace; Jack, Clare, Samuel, Benjamin, and Luke Camp; Elijah Grimsley; and Oliver Schultz.

The funeral service will be held on Monday, May 5, at 3:00 PM at Morningside Baptist Church, 6065 Morningside Drive, Columbus, GA 31909 according to McMullen Funeral Home, 3874 Gentian Blvd., Columbus, GA 31907. Visitation will be held in the Fellowship Hall after the funeral service. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Morningside Baptist Church building fund and Columbus Hospice House.