Elsie (Kelly) Cook (1943 - 2021)

Born 16 Mar 1943 in Lake City, Florence, South Carolina, United States

Died 23 Feb 2021 at age 77 in Florence, Florence, South Carolina, United States

Biography

Elsie was born in 1943. She passed away in 2021.

• Elsie Kelly Lyon Cook, 77, wife of Terry W. Cook, and the late Chesley Emerson “Bud” Lyon and Donald Mack Matthews passed away peacefully, surrounded by family on Tuesday, February 23, 2021 at McLeod Hospice in Florence, SC.

Elsie, also known by many as “Mama Elsie”, was born on March 16, 1943 in Lake City, SC, a daughter of the late Reverend Theodore “Son” Kelly and Essie Kelly Teal. She graduated from Lake City High School and attended Emmanuel Bible College in Georgia. She was employed by Farmers Telephone Company for over 30 years. In her early years, she owned a catering business named Delicious Delights and for the last 30 years was a tax preparer. She enjoyed cooking and baking for family and friends, working in her flower beds, painting, and shopping trips to Sam’s.

Mama Elsie was the longest attending church member of 75 years at the Lake City PH Church, where she and her family joined when she was two years old. She served many roles during her years in the church including Teen Talent Coordinator, Girls Auxiliary Leader, VBS leader, and Adult and Teen Choir Director. She took over housekeeping at LCPH when the housekeeper retired and helped recruit workers for assistance. Mama Elsie also served as Missions Director and led mission trips into many countries including the Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, Chira Island, Nicaragua, Haiti, Panama, and London, England. She has also served as a volunteer at the McLeod Hospice House working along with the Hospice Chaplin. She had a servant’s heart and truly enjoyed helping others.

Mama Elsie was preceded in death by her sisters Arcola Dennis, Elizabeth Gregory, and Julia Mae Wise Weber; brothers, William Kelly and Joseph Kelley; and grandson, Will Frederick.

Sources

• Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/223477120/elsie-m-lyon : accessed 20 May 2022), memorial page for Elsie M. “Mama Elsie” Kelly Lyon (16 Mar 1943–23 Feb 2021), Find a Grave Memorial ID 223477120, citing Lake City Memorial Park, Lake City, Florence County, South Carolina, USA ; Maintained by Remember me (contributor 47418257) .