Rev. Robert Lewis Cook, 82, went home to be with the Lord on August 17, 2022, with his beloved wife Karen Cox Cook, 82, to join him just thirty hours later on August 19. They both grew up in West Virginia and attended Trevecca Nazarene College. They were married over sixty years and served in ministry together for 50 years, spending more than half of that, 28 years, at Lake Gibson Church of the Nazarene (formerly Lakeside) in Lakeland, Florida. Robert, known to his friends as Bob, served as pastor and led Lake Gibson Church of the Nazarene through a relocation and building program. Karen served in many capacities including Sunday School teacher, children’s director, pianist, and choir director while also teaching kindergarten in the public schools. They also served at Gainesville University Avenue, Nashville First, Fort Mill, New Ellenton New Life, and Orlando New Life Community Churches of the Nazarene and were current members of Parkside Fellowship Church of the Nazarene. They were undoubtedly welcomed into their new home with the words, “Well done, good and faithful servants.”
They are survived by their three children Kelly Cook, Kendra Hendry (husband Mark), and Kendall Cook (wife Susan) and their four grandchildren Hayden Hendry, Haley Wheeler (husband Josh), Delaney Cook, and Nealie Cook. Robert is preceded by his siblings Johnna Lou Moore, Dorothy Moore, Jim Cook, Freddie Cook, Pat Cook, and survived by Margie Ferrer. Karen is survived by her siblings Steve Cox (wife Betty), Gary Cox (wife Teddi), and Holly Crute (husband Bob).
There will be a combined celebration of life service for Bob and Karen at Lake Gibson Church of the Nazarene in Lakeland, Florida, on Saturday, September 3 at 11:00 a.m. with visitation beginning at 9:30 a.m. and a luncheon to follow in the Fellowship Hall.