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Joyce Whisenant McCook
Joyce “Joy” Whisenant McCook, 97, of Bradenton and formerly of Holmes Beach, died Dec. 23.
She was born Sept. 24, 1928, in Palmetto.
She was a proud Florida native who lived most of her life in Manatee County.
She graduated Palmetto High School in 1946. She attended Florida State College for Women in its final year, as well as the first year males were admitted and the school name was changed to Florida State University.
She married Howard, her high school sweetheart, April 3, 1949, at First Presbyterian Church in Palmetto. They enjoyed almost 49 years together, moving to Holmes Beach in 1987.
While she loved her home, she was always ready for an adventure. She enjoyed travel around the country and overseas by train, plane, automobile or cruise ship.
She was a huge Seminoles football fan.
The priorities in her life were family and faith. She cherished time with Howard and the more family that showed up at their house, the merrier.
In addition to skills in the kitchen, she was an amazing seamstress.
Her love for children spread far beyond her family as a volunteer at vacation Bible schools, in service in the church nursery, as mentor to girls’ youth groups and while teaching reading to elementary students.
Her husband died in 1998 but she continued to enjoy island living, especially the annual summer gatherings, a tradition for close to 100 years.
For the last several years, Mrs. McCook resided at the Villas of Hollybrook/Reflections in Bradenton.
A graveside service was held Dec. 26.
Mrs. McCook is survived by her son, Steve, and wife Marilyn of Bradenton; daughters Debbie Fischer of Port Charlotte, Cindy and husband Drew Eason of Bradenton, and Beth and husband Kent Tucker of Bradenton, five grandchildren; six greatgrandchildren; and sister Phyllis and husband Dick White of Winter Haven.