Nelda Cookson

Nelda “Rozelle” Cookson, 83 years, 9 months, and 20 days. She was born June 21, 1939, in Lott, Texas, the daughter of Zellner “Plunk” Lee and Irene Mustian Daniel. She passed away April 10, 2023, at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau, Missouri.

Rozelle’s life career was in education, retiring from Puxico Schools. She truly loved all the children she taught. She recently spent time at Delta South Skilled Nursing facility in Sikeston caring for her husband, Carroll. They described her as “a light that lit up the whole world”. She was the most loving and caring individual to all the people who knew her. She was truly an inspiration to all. Her Christian Faith was always her anchor throughout her entire life. She was a member of the Asherville Church of Christ.

She married the love of her life, Carroll Cookson on Dec. 1, 1956. Her pride and joy was seeing all her children and grandchildren obtain their college education and seeing their many successes.

Loving survivors include: her husband, Carroll Cookson; son, The Honorable Stephen Cookson; two daughters, Lesa (Jon) Murray and Lorie (Don) Grossheider; sister, Mary Lyn Joyner; brother and sister-in-law, Ronnie and Dee Cookson; aunt, Pauline Lawler; grandchildren, Tyler (Molly) Cookson, Kyle (Amber) Murray, Katie (Philip) Klaproth, and Clint Daniel Pogue; step-grandchildren, Abby (Cyle) Huck and Neal (Kori) Grossheider; great-grandchildren, Teagan and Ava Murray, Cooper and Milo Klaproth, Clayton, Levi, Clarey, and Liam Huck, and Eleanor Grossheider; nieces and nephew, Karen (Roger) Brown, Janell Hill, Jeff (Debbie) Cliff, Julie Ridenour, Jay (Carrie) Cookson, Brad (Christie) Cookson and Bruce (Karen) Underwood, Gary (Marie) Underwood and Linda Jorgenson.

She was preceded in death by her parents; stepfather, George W. Rylee; brothers and sisters-in-law, J.T. and Phyllis Cookson, Ancel and Doris Cookson, Rena Mable and Quentin Ridenour.

The family would like to thank: Barry Aycock, Dave and Connie Thompson, Carol Bulford, Kay Smith, John and Gail Rhodes, Jim and Carolyn Bowling, Don and Sandy Rhodes, Terri Wiseman West, Morgan Funeral Home, Joy Cookson, Tammy Blocker, Julie Gipson, Dennis and Sandy Wheetley, Otis and Ann Lewis, Fayette Moss, Rhonda Hancock, Denise Griffin, Asherville Church of Christ, Puxico Church of Christ, Brown General Baptist Church, the caring community of Delta South Skilled Nursing facility; the doctors and nurses at St. Francis Hospital, Monty and Missy Montgomery, the caring community of Shady Brook Mobile Home Park, and all of their many friends and extended family.

Rozelle’s visitation will be held on Friday, April 14, 2023, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Morgan Funeral Chapel in Advance, Missouri. A funeral service will be held on Saturday, April 15, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. at Brown General Baptist Church located on County Road 275 north of Puxico, Missouri. Pastor John Rhodes will officiate. Interment will follow at Brown General Baptist Church Cemetery.