Mildred Cornelia Compton Cook

DURHAM – Mildred Cornelia Compton Cook, age 93, died peacefully in her sleep at home in Conway, South Carolina on August 20, 2023. Mildred was born in Durham on May 9, 1930, to the late Mabel and Henry Compton. Mildred was raised in west Durham less than one mile from this Hall-Wynne location. Mildred was a woman of faith. She lived as a positive example and role model for her family, friends, colleagues and community. Although she had many health struggles and setbacks in her final years, she continued to fight and move forward. Her absence will be felt by everyone that knew her.

In 1949, Mildred graduated from Durham High School. On June 10, 2023, Mildred attended her 74th high school reunion celebrating with family and lifelong friends. Mildred’s only surviving sister, Helen, also attended (76th high school reunion, Class of 1947). Mildred was athletic and played high school basketball. She also played on the Erwin Mills Basketball City League, winning championships from 1950 – 1951.

In 1951, Mildred graduated from Watts School of Nursing as a Licensed Practical Nurse. This began her illustrious nursing career with a focus on caring for newborn babies. During her 43 years as a Nurse, she worked at three hospitals; Watts Hospital, Durham, North Carolina; Durham Regional Hospital, Durham, North Carolina; and Newton General Hospital, Covington, Georgia. Mildred loved babies. She just became a great-great grandma this year. She enjoyed her work more when babies were in the nursery. This note was just found in a Christmas card to Mildred from a colleague in the past, “Mildred, it’s been nice working with you this year & discussing all the babies & which ones we were going to keep, HA!”.

On May 18, 1951, Mildred, a city girl, married Roy Thomas Cook, a country boy. Mildred and Roy initially met in 1948 when Roy visited Mildred’s house with his cousin who happened to be a friend of the Compton family. Mildred and Roy married in Durham and honeymooned in White Lake, North Carolina. In 2021, Mildred and Roy celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary with family in Conway, South Carolina. Sadly, after this monumental milestone, Roy passed away in October 2021.

In 1978, to continue Roy’s employment with Hercules, Inc., Mildred and Roy relocated to Covington, Georgia with their younger children, Tommy, Kim & David. The older kids, Sue, Marian and Cheryl remained in North Carolina. Marian moved to Georgia in 1980 after graduating from college. During this time, Mildred worked at Newton General Hospital. Mildred and Roy lived in Covington until 1994. In 1994, Mildred and Roy both retired from their careers and moved back to Roy’s family home in the Lowes Grove area in Durham. Mildred and Roy enjoyed 20 years of retirement in the Lowes Grove area reconnecting with their families and cherished friends from the past. In 2015, Mildred and Roy made their final move to Conway, South Carolina to live with their daughter and son-in-law, Kim and Mark Boyd. Kim and Mark were the caregivers for Mildred and Roy.

Starting in the 1970’s, Mildred and Roy enjoyed camping with their kids, grandkids, extended family members and friends of the family, camping from Florida to Canada. In July 1977, the Cook family traveled and camped with Mildred’s brother, Julius, and his family. Some of the stops along the way: Gettysburg; 1,000 Islands; Niagara Falls; Montreal; and Quebec. This was a once in a lifetime, larger-than-life camping trip for Mildred and her families. Mildred and Roy continued to camp into their 80’s. A Myrtle Beach newspaper featured Mildred & Roy in an article celebrating 50 years in camping.

Mildred was an epic baker and cook. She also canned jellies, preserves and pickles. She was known for her pound cakes, German chocolate pies, cherry cheesecakes, ice box fruitcakes, fudge and most notably, her divinity. There is no way to count the number of desserts Mildred baked over the years for her 6 kids to share with their co-workers. Mildred and Roy were honorary members of Valassis Printing’s “Have a Heart” Committee due to the support they provided for fund raising efforts – making and selling chili, hotdogs, and other food items.

Mildred loved life and even into her 90’s there were many simple things she still treasured: visits and phone calls from friends and family; being pampered and “beautified”; listening to church services and gospel music; sunbathing on the front porch; handmade quilts; her doll collection; sneaking food to Mikey; enjoying the flowers near the steps on the front porch; rescuing a pregnant mother cat that had kittens; sending birthday and Christmas cards to her kids and their spouses without fail; and being famous on the internet.

If you really knew Mildred, you knew she loved a good cup of hot coffee and endless refills. All you had to do was ask, “how about a cup of coffee”? She couldn’t resist, she would cut her eyes at you and with her impish grin, she would reply “yes”.

Again, her absence will be felt by everyone that knew her.

The family would like to thank Patriot Hospice that provided care to Mildred.

Mildred Cornelia Compton Cook is survived by; sister Helen Pendergrass; brother Julius Compton; sister-in-law Doris (Buck) Terry; daughters Sue (Tony) Watson, Marian (Luke) Dickerson, Cheryl (Dale) Stanley, Kim (Mark) Boyd; sons Tommy (Debbie) Cook, David (Carmen) Cook; grandkids Jimmy Watson, Jennifer (Matt) Rzeszut, Matt (Melissa) Cook, Kristin (Nick) Farrell, Travis Hambrick, Tara Shiver, Grayson Cook, Emma Cook; great-grandkids; great-great grandkid; nieces and nephews.

Mildred Cornelia Compton Cook was preceded in death by; parents, Mabel and Henry Compton; brothers, Henry, Edgar, Clyde and Daniel; sisters, Ethel Compton and Nelda Suggs; sister-in-law, Thelma (Dewey) Wright.

A visitation will be held Friday, August 25, 2023, from 9:00 to 10:00 a.m. at the Hall-Wynne Funeral Chapel. A funeral service will follow at 10:00 a.m. at the Hall-Wynne Funeral Chapel. Officiating will be Pastor Charlie McNeil. Burial will follow at Oak Grove Memorial Gardens.

The Cook family is under the care of Hall-Wynne Funeral Service. Online condolences: www.hallwynne.com – select obituaries.