Edwin F. Cook

Mr. Edwin F. Cook, age 84, of Blairsville, GA, passed away Friday, August 10, 2007 at Erlanger Medical Center. Mr. Cook was born Wednesday, January 17, 1923 in Union County, GA to the late Grady Cook and the late Nell Akins Cook. He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Blairsville. Edwin was a member of the Blairsville Kiwanis club since it was chartered in 1950 and he also served as president twice in the 1960's and again in 1978-79. He was Lt. Governor of the 10th Kiwanis Division of the Georgia District in 1985-86. Mr. Cook was president of the Towns-Union Chamber of Commerce from the early 1950's through the mid 1960's. He was instrumental in securing the Dress Factory, the county's first industry to employ mostly women. He served as president of Blairsville Industries for several years. His professional career was as County Executive Director of the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, ASCS for 37 years. Mr. Cook secured Union County's first 9 hole golf course with USDA funds through a 1963 cropland conversion program in cooperation with the Pat H. Haralson estate. At the time of his death, he was the oldest living past master of Allegheny Lodge #114 F&AM..

Survivors include: his wife, Lucille Blalock Cook of Blairsville, daughter and son-in-law, Jean and Pete Kelly of Dallas, GA, son and daughter-in-law, Joe and Karen Cook of Trion, GA, granddaughters, Allison Richardson, Laura Cook, Suzanne Kelly and Lucy Cook and great granddaughter, Adeline Richardson.

Funeral services will be held Sunday, August 12, 2007 at 2:00 PM from the First Baptist Church Of Blairsville with the Rev. B.A. Buchanan, Rev. Troy Acree and Rev. Danny Parris officiating. Music will be provided by Minister R. Terry Hooper. Interment will follow in the Blairsville City Cemetery. Serving as pallbearers are: Bob Blalock, Lamar Paris, Charles Hill, Billy Decker, Jim Dobson and Joe Fair. Honorary pallbearers include: Members of the Blairsville Kiwanis Club and special friend, Leon Davenport.

The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 6-8, Saturday, August 11.

The Cochran Funeral Home of Blairsville, Georgia is in charge of arrangements.