Pamela Cook

PAMELA J. (HIGBIE) COOK 

May 28, 1949 – February 27, 2024 

Pam Cook was born on May 28, 1949, in Jamaica, New York, the second of four children of Clarence William (Kirby) and Virginia Irene (Ginny) Higbie.  

After relocating the family from Cleveland, Ohio, the Higbies settled in Atlanta, Georgia, where Pam graduated from Sandy Springs High School in 1967. 

In 1973, Pam was living in Biloxi, Mississippi when she happened to meet a young Air Force officer at a pool party. Though she didn’t know it at the time, that chance encounter would rekindle at a military ball a few months later, when though they both arrived with different dates, they soon began a conversation which lasted more than 50 years. Pam married the love of her life, Douglas (Skip) Cook on July 28, 1974, and the adventure began. 

Early in their marriage Pam and Skip decided to prioritize having adventures as often as was possible between their work and education schedules. Pam worked for many years for Southern Bell/BellSouth/AT&T and while there, and with Skip’s encouragement, went back to school to pursue an accounting degree and became a CPA. This gave her many opportunities to advance in her career starting in the mailroom and retiring as the Executive CPA from BellSouth.  

Pam’s retirement provided more opportunities for the travel that she and Skip loved. They took safaris to Africa, a cruise to Alaska, a sailboat to Antarctica, swimming with beluga whales in Canada, and many more memorable adventures. As always, the Cooks were inseparable and if Skip came up with a new suggestion for a trip, Pam was all in and ready to make it happen. 

But Pam was equally content to be at home, especially after they relocated from Decatur, Georgia to their mountain home in Mineral Bluff, Georgia. Always an avid reader, Pam could spend hours engrossed in a good book – and with minimal coercion, could usually be talked into a glass of white wine or Prosecco when spending quality time telling stories amongst friends and family. She enjoyed many other adventures with Skip such as hiking, bird watching, riding their Harley Davidson motorcycle, practicing yoga, and walking (or sometimes being walked by) the dogs at the local animal shelter. She especially enjoyed spending time with Skip, family members, and friends (including one special four-legged friend) on their pontoon boat on Lake Blue Ridge. 

Pam bravely, and without complaint, fought lung cancer for the past three years. Her last few weeks were spent watching beautiful sunrises and sunsets from the living room of their mountain home with devoted family members and friends by her side. She took her last breath with her devoted Skip holding her hand, kissing her forehead and reminding her again, as he had for the past 50 years, just how much he loved her. 

Pam was preceded in death by her parents, Kirby and Ginny Higbie, and her big brother and protector, Bruce Higbie. Left to cherish her memory are her beloved husband, Skip, her sister-in-law, Carol Higbie, brother, Gary (Perri) Higbie; her sister, Candy (Joe) Cooper; sisters-in-law Barbara (Richard) Menning, Ginny (Brad) Borrman, and brother-in-law, Greg Cook. She also is survived by her many nieces and nephews, and many great nieces and nephews with whom she loved to spend time at family holidays and on their boat at the lake.  

Those who knew and loved Pam will never forget her bravery, her amazing positivity, her infectious laugh, her Thanksgiving feasts (especially the stuffing), and the love she showered on all who were fortunate enough to have been called “family". 

A Celebration of Life will be on Friday, April 26, 2024, from 2-4 at Cochran Funeral Home, 3911 Appalachian Highway, Blue Ridge, Georgia. In lieu of flowers please make donations in Pam’s name to Fannin County Humane Society.  humanesocietyofblueridge.org 

Cochran Funeral homes is honored to serve the family of Mrs. Pamela Cook. You may sign the guest registry book at www.cochranfuneralhomes.com