Obituary of Ava Nell Goss Cooke

Ava Nell Goss Cooke

Columbia, SC

Ava Nell Goss Cooke, 95, died December 12, 2018 in Columbia, SC.  Born and raised on a farm near Elberton, GA, she was the last surviving of the 11 children of George Walter and Elizabeth Cheek Goss.  In 1946 she married serviceman Lonnie Wilson Cooke, Jr. and lived at more than 20 different addresses before 1964 when she settled in Columbia and proclaimed “the only way I’m leaving this house is feet first”.  She was predeceased by her husband of 52 years and by her son, Danny W. Cooke, and is survived by children James G. Cooke, Gerald D. Cooke (Susan), Martin W. Cooke (Suzanne), grandsons Andrew Cooke (Emi), David Cooke (Anna), and great-grandson Peter Cooke.  She was an avid baker whose idea of a good lunch was a piece of pound cake and a glass of sweet tea.  But the joy of her life was her family and friends.  Many nieces and nephews have kept contact with “Aunt Ava Nell” throughout their lives and cannot imagine a time without her.  She also leaves behind close friends at Jackson Creek Baptist Church where she was a member for more than 40 years.  A memorial service is planned at Jackson Creek Church on Two Notch Rd. in Columbia for 2:00PM on Saturday, January 12.  A visitation for family and friends will take place at the church in the hour before the service.