Elmo "McKinley" Cook, Sr. , 82, was born to the late John "Blaze" Cook and Gladys Carter Cook in Spotsylvania, VA, on August 1, 1939. He was called to his heavenly home on Sunday, July 3, 2022.

At an early age McKinley was immersed in the Christian community, he joined Zion Hill Baptist Church in Spotsylvania, VA. He served by singing in the choir, Men's Ministry, Trustee, and Custodian. He later became a member of Living New Life Community Church in Spotsylvania, VA; where he remained a dedicated faithful servant and was actively involved doing outreach until his departure.

McKinley attended and graduated from John J. Wright Consolidated School in Spotsylvania, VA. He was an outstanding athlete and played baseball for the school team. He loved his 1957 Alumni class.

McKinley was blessed with a loving family. He married his best friend and fellow classmate; Mathelda Adele Woodward Cook, on April 30, 1960, in Spotsylvania, VA. He was blessed with 62 years of marriage. To this union he had two sons and later raised his son from a previous relationship.

McKinley helped raise his three children with love, kindness, meekness, patience, encouragement, discipline, and in the church. He was a great husband, father, and provider. Proverbs 23:24, "The father of the righteous shall greatly rejoice: and he that begetteth a wise child shall have joy of him".

He loved his family and was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, cousin, and friend. He loved the LORD wholeheartedly and studied his holy word. He was a sports enthusiast that loved baseball, basketball, football, drag racing, and fishing. He also enjoyed traveling, spending time with family, driving his grandson Caleb around in his truck and going to church. He will be dearly missed by all who truly loved him.

McKinley worked 35 years and retired from the federal government, in Quantico, VA. He also worked as a bus driver for LW Transportation, in Fredericksburg, VA, a Caregiver for DRC/Consumer Direct in Fredericksburg, VA, and a custodian  for RACSB in Spotsylvania, VA.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Mathelda A. Cook; his parents; his brothers, James Cook, Bennie Cook, John "Timpy" Cook, and Clarence Ellis.

McKinley leaves to cherish his memory, his sons James "Larry" (Terri) Banks of Woodbridge, VA, Elmo (Francine) Cook, and Kevin (Shelia) Cook of Spotsylvania, VA; his grandchildren Cortez (Morgan) Cook, Caleb Cook, Keturah Cook, and Tabitha Cook; his brother, Jenis (Sandra) Ellis of Spotsylvania, VA; brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and other relatives.

A viewing will be held at Wilderness Community Church on Saturday, July 9, 2022, at 10:00 AM followed by a funeral service at 11:00 AM. Click here to view the live streaming of the service via Zoom. The Zoom Meeting ID is 716 280 9085.