Obituaries – Their Stories Live On

Mr. Raymond Dwight Cook Sr., 69, of Columbia, SC formerly of Beckley, WV passed Monday, March 4, 2024.

Raymond was born August 8, 1954, in Oceana to the late James and Ruth Garrett Cook.

Raymond worked for Norfolk Southern Railroad for 30 yrs. and obtained a Bachelor of Science in Computer Managment and Data Processing from West Virginia Institute of Technology.

Raymond and his family moved to East Park when he was very young and had fond memories of where he and all the boys/men hung out on the famous “corner” back in the day.

Raymond often attended Welcome Baptist in East Park and after marrying Diane he was a regular at Faith Chapel AME in Raleigh, where his wife was a member.

Raymond always enjoyed soul & blues music and old cars; he still has his 1963 Catalina he loved working on in the backyard with his music playing.

Raymond always had a smile, was easy going and loved his family and friends. In later years he listened to his ‘Wonder Bible” constantly even in bed where he had to use earphones.

Raymond was preceded in death by his parents, James and Ruth Cook; brothers, James Lee, Billy Ray and Lonnie “John”; sister, Rosanell Dumas and son, Anthony C. Scruggs.

Raymond leaves to cherish precious memories his supportive and loving wife for the past 49 yrs, Diane of Columbia, SC; son, Raymond Jr. of Charlotte, NC; daughter, Annell (Cyril) Squires of Peachtree City, GA; brothers, Rev. Onnie and Carl, both of Beckley, WV; sisters, Athelene “Dean” Greer and Barbara Mitchell, both of Beckley, WV and Kathleen Baxter of Philadelphia, PA; favorite mother-in-law, Annette Dalton of Lorain, OH; eight grandchildren; two great-grandchildren and a host of devoted nieces, nephews, family and friends.

Funeral service will be 12:00PM Friday, March 15, 2024 at Outreach for Christ Christian Center 416 G St. Beckley. Burial will follow in Greenwood Memorial Park, Beckley.

Friends, while wearing masks and observing social distancing, may view and visit with the family one-hour prior.

In lieu of flowers, the family request donations be made to the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews, St. Jude Childrens Research Hospital, or Wounded Warrior Project.

Email condolences to ritchiejohnsonfuneralparlor@gmail.com.

Arrangements entrusted to Ritchie & Johnson Funeral Parlor, Beckley.