Leon Cooke

In loving memory of Leon Thomas Cooke, age 74, who died peacefully at his home in Wake Forest, NC on Sunday, March 29, 2020, after a valiant fight against liver cancer. He is survived by his spouse, Charlotte Harris Cooke, who was the love of his life for 50 years.

He was the son of the late Wesley Allen Cooke and Josephine Chappell Cooke from Wake Forest, NC. His brother is the late JW Cooke of Wake Forest, NC. He is survived by his sisters, Ruby, and husband Marvin Weathers, Anne Finch and the late Russell Finch of Wake Forest, NC, and Mary Jo Lester and husband Thomas of Raleigh, NC.

He is survived by his beloved children, Zachary Thomas Cooke and wife Loraine W. Cooke of Raleigh, NC, Tracey Alecia Lynam and William Alexander Wiggs of Raleigh, NC, and Tonya Lynam Beddingfield and husband Gilbert Beddingfield of Wake Forest, NC. He is also survived by his treasured grandchildren Cameron Allen Cooke of Raleigh, NC, Ashley Lane Bisby of Wake Forest, NC, and Brandon Alexander Bisby of Wake Forest, NC.

He was the son-in-law of the late Hunter R. and Dorothy Lane Lamb of Buckhannon, WV. Brother-in-law of Stephen R. Lamb of San Diego, CA, Junior Brent Harris and wife Grace of Buckhannon, WV, Randy Harris, and Tom Harris of Salem WV.

Leon is also survived by many loving nieces and nephews.

Leon spent 48 years in mortgage banking, starting with Cameron Brown in Raleigh, NC in 1971. From there he was transferred to Augusta, GA in 1974 where he worked with NCNB under his mentor, Oliver Owens for 6 years. He then attained the position of Senior Vice President for Cameron Brown/First Union while working in Augusta, GA. He received recognition and awards every year from Cameron Brown/First Union for having the number one office. Leon started his own mortgage company in 1989 but the downturn in the economy in 1990 forced him to close that business. The family moved back to Wake Forest, NC and Leon continued his career in mortgage banking through Ashton Mortgage in Raleigh, NC, and later with NewStar Mortgage in Durham, NC.

During his years in the mortgage business, he helped a number of people start careers in real estate, the appraisal business, as well as mortgage trainees and processors. He also reveled in helping those in need to be able to buy a home. In his retirement years, he enjoyed the socialization of being able to work at B&W Hardware and Advance Auto Parts in Wake Forest, NC. Leon was a dedicated member of Glen Royal Baptist Church in Wake Forest, NC and was a true testament to those around him.

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, an announcement will be forthcoming with details on the Memorial Service and a Celebration of Life get-together.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Glen Royal Baptist Church, Wake Forest, NC.

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