Miriam G. Cook
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Miriam G. Cook, or "Mim" as she was known by those who knew her best, stepped into the presence of Almighty God on Wednesday night, April 14 from her home in Grand Junction. She was 97 at the time of her passing.
Born on March 1, 1924 in Rae Berali, India, a small town not far from Delhi, she was the daughter of J. Edgar and Virginia Barrick, who were serving as Assemblies of God missionaries to India. Miriam was raised in the northern part of India in her early years and always enjoyed talking about attending school at Woodstock, a respected school known for academics located in the Mussoorie region of northern India.
Miriam left India in the early 40s, emigrated to the United States, and graduated from High School in Keyser, W. VA in 1942. The next year she enrolled in Central Bible Institute in Springfield, MO.
In the summer of 1945, at a church camp near Somerset, PA, Miriam met a handsome 26-year old man named George Robert Cook. As they began talking, they soon realized that both had been born and raised in India to missionary parents. Their friendship deepened, love ensued, and the two of them were married a few months later on November 8, 1945. Over the first 10 years of their married lives, George and Miriam lived first in Maryland, then Beckley, WV, Atlanta, GA, and Cleveland, TN, serving in various roles with the Church of God. Over those years, Miriam gave birth to three children - Peggy, Bobby, and Jonny.
In 1955, at the invitation of George's brother, Alex, to join his accounting firm, the Cook family made a momentous move to Grand Junction, CO. They soon put down roots and began attending what was then called First Assembly of God (now Victory Life Church). She remained an active member of the church throughout her life and was most noted for her service as the Director of the Girls' program (Missionettes) from 1968 to 1978. She loved and followed Jesus all the days of her life!
Miriam loved to knit and over the years knitted many sweaters, hats, blankets, and other items she would give away as gifts. She also loved to read, especially if the books or magazines were about India or missionary biographies.
She was preceded in death by her husband, George R. Cook; her parents, J. Edgar and Virginia Barrick; her brother, Osmonde Barrick; son-in-law George Adams, and daughter-in-law Theresa Cook.
Surviving are her sister, Doris Jean Sharp, of Grand Prairie, TX; daughter, Margaret V. (Peggy) Adams, of Grand Junction; son G. Robert Cook Jr and his wife, Sherilyn, of Grand Junction; and son Jonathan E. Cook, of Ft. Collins, CO;
Eight grandchildren - Josh (Sara Jane) Cook, Trevor Adams, Jeremy (Tamara) Cook, Jenna (Ben) Kuykendall, Nathan Adams, Charmaine Adams, Allison Cook, & Kimberly Cook;
Nine great-grandchildren - Emma, Elijah, Kayla, Ketran, Ryan, Rachel, Ezekiel, Sammy, and Peter;
Numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews, plus other extended family members.
A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, April 20, at 11:00 am at Victory Life Church (2066 Hwy. 6 & 50); graveside service to follow at Memorial Gardens at 2:00 pm. Memorial gifts may be given to the Missions Fund of Victory Life Church.