AULANDER, NC – Billy Bryant Cooke, Sr., age 76, passed away on March 14, 2018 at his home surrounded by his loving family.

Mr. Cooke was born on September 9, 1941 to Henry and Mary Thomas Cooke in Bertie County, North Carolina. He married Dianne and to this marriage was born two children. Billy served as Chief of Police for Aulander for several years. He then went on to work as a rural letter carrier for the United States Postal Service before retiring after 36 years. Billy was an avid outdoorsman. He enjoyed hunting and fishing and was known to many as “CHIEF”. Billy was an active member of Oak Grove Baptist Church. He was a kind, loving husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, uncle, and friend that will be deeply missed by all that knew him.

Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife Dianne Cooke; and brothers, Robert and Fred Cooke.

Billy is survived by his wife. Patsy; daughter, Michelle Cooke Perry and husband Tom of Tyler, TX; son, Billy “Bryant” Cooke, Jr. and wife Ann of Murfreesboro, NC; grandchildren, Brandi Perry of The Woodlands, TX, Leslie Lawrence and husband Austin of Colerain, NC, and Harrison Revelle and wife Casey of Murfreesboro, NC; great-grandson, Graham Lawrence; step-children, Patricia Baker and husband Michael of Hertford, NC, Richard Bracy and wife Phyllis of Rich Square, NC, Jimmy Bracy and wife Melanie of Severn, NC, and Stephen Bracy of Aurora, IL.; step-grandchildren, Michael, Nicholas, and Emily Bracy of Severn, Sarah Baker of Hertford, Cody and Angel Bracy of Rich Square, and Alethea and Mathew Baker of Virginia, step-great grandchildren, Gavin and Hunter, along with several nephews.

A celebration of life funeral service will be held on Saturday, March 17, 2018, at 12 noon at Oak Grove Baptist Church, with Rev. Greg Hurdle, officiating. The burial will follow at Aulander Cemetery. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at Oak Grove Baptist Church Fellowship Hall from 11:00 am until 11:45 am and other times at the home.

Memorial contributions may be made directly to Oak Grove Baptist Church, PO Box 247, Aulander, NC 27805 or online by visiting tmcfunding.com/search; then type: Billy Cooke.

Garrett-Sykes Funeral Service – Ahoskie Chapel is handling the arrangements for the Cooke family and online condolences can be directed to the family by visiting www.garrettsykesfs.com.