Brenda Joyce-Cumbia Cook

February 19, 1945 - July 6, 2022
Brenda Joyce-Cumbia Cook

Memorial Gifts & Donations


Brenda Cook went home to her Lord and Savior at her home in Leland, NC, on July 6, 2022. Born Brenda Joyce Cumbia in Rocky Mount, NC, on February 19, 1945, to Clarence David Cumbia and Eunice Marjorie Hayes Cumbia both of Rocky Mount, NC, and Florence, SC. Brenda is survived by her husband of 51 years, Carrell (Cookie) Cook of Leland, NC; by her daughters, Teresa Anne Johnston of Pensacola, FL, and Carolyn (Scott) Brown of Wilmington, NC; and by her son Richard Bryon (Mandy) Cook of Pocahontas, IL. She is survived by 8 grandchildren: Nathan Johnston of FL, Daniel Johnston of FL, Emily (Nick) Helfert of NC, Gregory (wife Blaine) Brown of NC, Luke (Rebekah) Brown of NC, Lauryn (Jacob) Darnell of IL, Kelsey Cook of IL, and Billy Cook of IL. She is also survived by 8 great-grandchildren (Ray, Madeline, Ledger, Samjoy, Maverick, Lily, Kennedy, and Baby Boy Brown due in November 2022). Additionally, Brenda is survived by her siblings Judy Cumbia, David (Karen) Cumbia, Margie (George) Brammer, and Steve (Lucy) Cumbia all of SC; and her brother-in-law, Elmer Cook of Grubbs, AR.

Brenda served diligently as a military wife with all that entails, such as time away from her husband, her extended family, and frequent moves. Brenda was best known for her faith in Christ, and her love for her husband, children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and life-long friends. She loved to talk about her high school friends, her dear Illinois church family and friends, and her newly formed church family and friends in Leland, NC. She was known for her love of children and children’s ministries, ladies’ Sunday School, and other church activities. She was known by her family and close friends for her handmade Christmas ornaments (every year) and her knitted dishcloths. Brenda was able to take a few classes at Belville Community College (which she loved) and always wanted to go back to college. She spent most of her life as a dedicated homemaker, but she also worked as a childcare provider, a retailer in a toy shop, an administrative associate for Belville Community College, and did the “books” for an insurance agency in Columbia, SC.

In lieu of flowers, please donate as a memorial to Samaritan’s Purse via mail at Samaritan’s Purse, PO Box 3000, Boone, NC 28607, or online at https://www.samaritanspurse.org/donation-items/where-most-needed/ ; or donate to First Baptist Church Leland online at https://fbcleland.org/giving, mailing address is 517 Village Rd, NE, Leland, NC 28451.



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  • July 13, 2022
    Linda Chadwick says:
    Brenda and her husband are some of the friendliest people I know. She was always open and shared about what was going on in her life and welcomed me into her circle of friends with open arms. I do know that she loved the Lord and trusted Him, even in the face of life's disappointment. I'm glad she's in the arms of Jesus where there is no more pain or tears, no sorrow or disappointment. She's finally home! We will miss her.