Joe Nathaniel Cocke

Josiah Nathaniel “Joe” Cocke, longtime resident of the Macon Community, retired attorney and husband of the late Susie Virginia “Sugin” Chambers Cocke, died peacefully Friday evening, May 20, 2011 at the National HealthCare Center of Somerville. He was 97 years of age.

Funeral Services for Mr. Cocke were conducted at 2 p.m. Tuesday, May 24 ^th at the Macon Church of Christ with Bro. Ray Peters of the church, officiating. Mr. Vip Lewis, Mr. Cocke’s nephew, gave the eulogy and congregational singing was led by Bro. James “Jimmy” Scott. Interment, with Full Military Honors, followed in the Macon Cemetery. Arrangements were provided by Peebles Fayette County Funeral Homes – West Chapel of Oakland.

Mr. Cocke was born December 16, 1913 in Moscow, Tennessee. He was the son of James Nathaniel Cocke and Annie Sue (Bobbitt) Cocke. Mr. Cocke graduated from Fayette County High School at the top of his class and his first full-time job was working as a floor manager in the old Sears building in Memphis. Mr. Cocke was married on October 14, 1938 in Memphis to the former Virginia Susie “Sugin” Chambers.

Mr. Cocke was a graduate of the University of Memphis Law School (1939) after only two years and immediately passed the bar. On November 30, 1942, Mr. Cocke went into the Army during the first year of World War II. He began his service in Camp Hood, Texas, in a Tank Destroyer unit and served until his discharge at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, on June 25, 1946. He continued to serve in the Army Reserve until his retirement on December 16, 1973, as a Lieutenant Colonel.

Mr. Cocke began his active law practice in Somerville in 1946. On May 10, 1948, he was appointed Clerk and Master of the Chancery Court of Fayette County, Tennessee. He was re-appointed until he retired from that office after thirty one years, on October 10, 1979.

Mr. Cocke then began practicing law in an office on the Somerville Town Square with Somerville attorney, Rick Rosser for four years. He discovered that real estate title work and probate practice were his favorite parts of the Law. He moved his office from Somerville to his home in Macon on June 1, 1984, where he continued to practice his profession until he was in his eighties.

A Christian, Mr. Cocke was an active member of the Macon Church of Christ where he was a faithful member (elder 1967-2007), Bible Teacher for thirty-two years and Song Leader for over fifty years. Mr. Cocke was the picture of a Southern gentleman. He was always impeccably dressed, wearing a suit practically every day, except for the last few months of his life at National HealthCare Center in Somerville. Mr. Cocke had the reputation of a man of great character. He tried to treat all people equally and fairly. He showed great integrity in his law practice and in his personal life. Many times he would do work for people and never ask them to pay. He always wanted to give back to the community. When he was young, he knew what it was like to be poor, so he became a dedicated giver to many charities and especially to his family, friends, community and church.

Mr. Cocke loved to travel with his family. He especially enjoyed buying new cars and then purchased a van he drove for many years. Mr. Cocke enjoyed history, collecting coins and books. He had a lifelong love of reading and learning. When Joe and Sugin met, they became childhood sweethearts. He was always very attentive to her needs. He pampered her and took great care of the love of his life. They were such a sweet couple, holding hands and always together. They had a relationship that many would aspire to. God blessed them with seventy-two wonderful years together.

Mr. Cocke was one of the original organizers and founders in 1965 of Fayette Academy and held the position of chairman of the board from 1968 to 1973. He was very active in the Somerville Lion’s Civic Club and he organized the Lion’s Charity Horse Show that was a special event in Fayette County for many years. Mr. Cocke was an accomplished singer, singing at many weddings and funerals. He also performed at the Overton Park Shell Theater in Memphis. Mr. Cocke enjoyed working with the Macon Civic Club. He was active in politics and served as the Secretary for the Fayette County Democratic Party for many years.

Mr. Cocke leaves his son, James Bruce Cocke (Marjorie) of Somerville, his daughter, Nancy Smith of Memphis, his daughter in law, Sheila Anne Cocke of Memphis, his brother Jimmie Cocke (Irma) of Sacramento, CA, six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. In addition to his wife and parents, he was preceded in death by his son, Mayo L. Cocke, and sisters; Betty Ann Harris, Louise Douglas and Ernestine Lewis.

Those honored to serve as pallbearers were William Barron, Jr., Alan Bruce Bowling, Bryan Bowling, Kirk Caraway, Joe Cocke, Sammy Pleasants, Kenneth Reed and Rick Rosser. Honorary pallbearers were John David Douglas, Vip Lewis, Payson Matthews, Tom Minor and Robert Bruce Mitchell.

The family requests that memorials be directed to the Macon Church of Christ, c/o Gary Perkins, 239 Lester Road, Somerville, TN 38068 or the Macon Cemetery Association, c/o Brenda Paradise, 10565 Highway 193, Williston, TN 38076.