CHARLOTTE - Muriel-89 years and 8 months old-arrived Home safely on Monday,
April 15, 2019. She was reunited with loved ones whom she missed dearly-her
husband of 57 years, Coit; firstborn son, Ashley; parents, Sidney and Gatha
Cooke; and sisters, Geneva Cooke and Margie Deviney. Muriel is survived by
her grateful and proud son, Kevin, as well as many truly special nieces and
nephews.

A sixth-generation North Carolinian, Muriel grew up in the shadow of the
South Mountains on a 20-acre farm near Casar. Though her childhood was rich
in love and friendship, the Depression years and beyond were tough for her
family, partly due to her father's adult-onset blindness. To make ends meet,
they had to give up their eggs to get groceries, and Muriel and her sisters
had to miss school to help pick cotton. Accordingly, Muriel gained empathy
for the less fortunate and developed an impressive work ethic. Applying
herself back in the classroom, she was co-salutatorian of Casar High's Class
of 1948.

Then leaving the hardscrabble farm, Muriel relocated to Charlotte,
completing studies at King's College and beginning her insurance career. In
1971, the Central Charlotte Association named her an "Outstanding Business
Woman," where she was honored at a dinner attended by Mayor Belk. Muriel
retired after 33 years with Marsh & McLennan (formerly James J. Harris &
Co).

Even in retirement, Muriel was a wellspring of energy, holding part-time
positions into her late 70's. Simultaneously, she volunteered for 16 years
at Presbyterian Hospital on Hawthorne Lane, donating over 3,500 hours. Her
friendliness and innate cheerfulness endeared her to patients and their
families.

As a child, Muriel was baptized in the creek behind Olive Grove Baptist.
Then over the ensuing years in Charlotte, she was faithful to Westover
Baptist and Pritchard Memorial Baptist-teaching Sunday School for decades,
singing alto in the choir for more than a half-century, and playing
handbells. Moreover, Muriel ministered many years as deacon, becoming Deacon
Emeritus. Active in the secular community as well, she served as President
of the Charlotte Association of Insurance Women and the Harding PTA.

Throughout her life, Muriel enjoyed traveling. Visiting New York City in the
early 1950s, she was selected from the studio audience for "The Bert Parks
Show," winning $40 and two cases of canned soup for naming a tune. Later,
she journeyed to 18 foreign countries, including Germany and Jamaica for
mission endeavors.

Though she sampled international cuisines in her travels, Muriel stuck with
Southern cooking, which she excelled at. To her family's delight, she kept
more than one homemade dessert on hand.

A few years ago, Muriel received a note from a friend that beautifully
summed up Muriel's life: "God speaks through you in a way He can through no
other-your smile, your voice, your love and thoughtfulness."

To commemorate Muriel's sweet smile, memorials may be made to Agape Dental
Ministry, 7839 Idlewild Road, Charlotte, NC 28212 or to the charity of the
donor's choice.

Friends are invited to a service honoring Muriel's life on Saturday, April
27 at Pritchard Memorial Baptist, 1117 South Boulevard. Visitation will
start at 10 AM. A dessert table will be set up to recognize Muriel's
enjoyment of baking. The memorial service will begin at 11 AM, followed by
interment at Forest Lawn West.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Stamey-Tysinger Funeral Home & Cremation
Center, Fallston, NC.