Mrs. Helen McSwain Cook

January 20, 1924 - August 3, 2015

FORT MEADE - Mrs. Helen Joyce Huggins McSwain Cook, 91, passed away Monday, Aug. 3, 2015 in Lakeland, FL. Mrs. Cook was born Jan. 20, 1924 in Lakeland, FL and was a longtime resident of Fort Meade. She was a retired ctirus sectionizer for several area packing houses, a very avid Rays fan, and a member of First Baptist Church, Fort Meade, where she was a member of the Willing Workers Sunday School class. Mrs. Cook was a former VBS teacher, Sunday School teacher, and the first W.M.U. director of Lake Buffum Baptist Church in Fort Meade. Growing up in a very large family, Mrs. Cook learned family was very important, and she devoted her life to taking care of each one of her family members and loved ones. Mrs. Cook was preceded in death by two husbands, Sam Albert McSwain, Jr. and Preston Cook. She is also preceded by numerous brothers and sisters. She is survived by her son, Sam A. McSwain, III and wife Peggy, Lakeland, FL; daughters, Beth McSwain, Lakeland, FL, Ann Cowart and husband Ernie, Winder, GA, Linda Russ and husband David, Ft. Meade, FL, Pat Miller and husband Randy, Plant City, FL; sister, Doris Bowden, Lakeland, FL; grandchildren, Allen Russ, Lesley Shuman, Matt Russ, Darryl Cowart, Krista Wise, Tera Caldwell, April Diaz, and twelve great-grandchildren. Visitation will be held 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m., Thursday, Aug. 6, 2015, at the First Baptist Church, 307 E. Broadway, Fort Meade. Funeral services will follow at 11:00 a.m. in the church sanctuary. Interment will be in Lake Buffum Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, those wishing, may make contributions to: Choices Pregnancy Care Center, 417 Carlton St., Wauchula, FL 33873 or the Building Fund of the First Baptist Church of Fort Meade. Hancock Funeral Home, Fort Meade, FL 863-285-8171