James Thomas Cooke, Sr.

Mr. James T. Cooke, Sr. “Gomer” passed away on Monday, May 18, 2026. He was preceded in death by a grandson, James Allen Peden, Jr.; two brothers, W. A. Cooke, Marvin Cooke; a sister Hazel Cooke and a son-in-law, James Allen Peden, Sr.

Gomer is survived by his wife, Betty Morris Cooke; two sons, James Thomas Cooke, Jr. (Mandy) and W. J. Porch, II (Amy); daughter, Sandy Peden; four grandchildren, Jeffrey Peden, Jacob Peden, Kylie Cooke and Kiptyn Cooke; a brother, Randolph Cooke and numerous nieces and nephews.

Gomer was a U. S. Army Veteran spent most of his career in the family business, Cooke’s Service Center. Afterwards he worked with the Town of Boykins and retired from Southampton County Public Schools maintenance department. Gomer continued to work assisting Southampton County as dumpster attendant at Branchville.

Gomer’s family will receive friends 5-7 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday at the home of his son and family, James Thomas and Mandy Cooke at 28115 Gray’s Shop Rd in Newsoms, Virginia 23874.

His funeral service with military honors will be held graveside 11 a.m. Thursday, May 21st at Beechwood Cemetery, Boykins, Virginia.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to Boykins Fire and Rescue or to the Newsoms Athletic Association.