Jackie Cook

Jackie Cook, “Nanny”, 83, of Ocala, Florida, passed away at Cates House (Hospice of
Marion County) in Ocala, Florida, on 8 February, 2023, after a short battle with
dementia. The loss of her husband, Paul, was a devastating blow from which her heart
and mind were unable to recover. Her family takes comfort in knowing that Paul (Paw
Paw) and Jackie (Nanny) are together again with their Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Jackie was a special gift, born on Christmas Day, 25 December 1939 to Jack and
Lurene (Shaw) Johnson in Defuniak Springs, Florida. She was raised in the Northwest
Florida coastal town of Freeport and attended Walton County High School— among
many other accomplishments, she was a standout basketball point guard.
After high school Jackie would meet Loran (Paul) Cook from Bonifay, Florida through
church in true love story fashion. The rest is history, she would eventually marry Paul,
her husband of 50 years, on 17 April 1964. She always said, “when you know you
know.” They welcomed twin boys in April of 1967, Terry and Kerry.
Paul’s Air Force career took him, Jackie, and the boys to assignments in Louisiana,
Florida, Mississippi, North Dakota, Alaska, and the Netherlands. Jackie parented the
boys alone during Paul's unaccompanied tours in Vietnam, Korea, and Japan. She was
a devoted wife and always thought Paul hung the moon. They were the true loves of
each other’s lives.
She was a strong, determined woman working hard to assist Paul in providing for her
family. Her pragmatic nature made her well suited to her life as a military spouse. After
Paul retired from the Air Force and Government Service, he and Jackie settled into a
stable life in Freeport, Florida and later in Ocala, Florida. Paw Paw and Nanny were
always chasing after their grandbabies. Paul was Jackie’s soulmate for 50 years. He
died in August of 2014, and she was not the same since.

Jackie's life was grounded by family, from her early life until her death, and her family of
two children and six grandchildren loved and admired Jackie for her integrity, love of
laughter, and Christian spirit. Jackie loved gardening in her yard, ‘dumpster diving’ with
her sisters, attending church whenever the door was opened, eating strudels,
monitoring the activities of her two sons, and absolutely adoring her grandchildren.
Most of all, Nanny loved spending time with her family and creating memories that will
be cherished forever.
Mrs. Jackie Johnson Cook had it right— regardless of the pressure to live up to
traditional measures of success, ultimately, a life grounded by family is a life well-lived!
She is at peace in Jesus. She will be missed.
Jackie is proceeded in death by her husband, Paul; her parents, the late Mr. and Mrs.
Jack Johnson; and her brother, Mickie Johnson. She is survived by her sons, Terry
(Joanna) and Kerry (Emily) Cook; her sisters, Bobbie Mundie, Judy Metzger, and
Connie Taggert (Earl); her brother, Tommie Johnson; and- the focus of her love and
blessings- her grandchildren; Haylee, Chandler, Hannah, Carly, Cameron, and Jackson
Cook.
A celebration of life service will be held at The Florida National Cemetery, Bushnell,
Florida at 0930, Friday,17 February 2023.
In lieu of flowers, although Jackie loved them, please make donations to the following:
https://www.stjude.org/donate/donate-to-st-jude.html
In memory of Jackie Cook, 2808 SW 34 th AVE, Ocala, Florida 34474
We love you Nanny!