Amanda Davis

NORTH CHAPEL

Richard Barron Cook

Mr. Richard Barron Cook, age 66, of Shannon, passed away on December 22, 2017, at his residence.

Mr. Cook was born in Floyd County, Ga. on December 16, 1951, son of the late Robert Hoyt Cook and the late Peggy Fry Cook Bowman. He was a veteran of the United States Army and acquired his GED diploma while serving. He was a member of New Antioch Baptist Church and American Legion Post #5. Mr. Cook was an avid outdoorsman who loved to hunt, fish and camp. Richard was a craftsman also, he had skills in carpentry and finding and creating arrowheads. He was passionate about his family and enjoyed spending time with all of his kids, especially the grandbabies. Mr. Cook was preceded in death by his parents; by a sister, Sandra June Cook Williams; and by two brothers, William Robert “Bobby” Cook and Billy Joe Cook.

Survivors include his wife of 19 years, Sandra Janelle Warren Cook, Shannon; two daughters, Angela Michelle Cook West, Rome, and Melissa Dawn Wheat Barlow (Steve), Rome; four sons, Joseph Neal Cook, Rome; Terry Michael Coffia (Crystal), Chattanooga, Tenn.; Melvin Colbert Wheat (Susan), Rome; and Charles Lamar “Chuck” Wheat (Brandi), Athens; a brother, Larry Wayne Cook (Crissy), Rome; a sister, Robin Cook Lee (James), Rome; 12 grandchildren; a life-time friend, Neal Carden, Rome; several nieces and nephews also survive.

Memorial services will be held in the Chapel at Henderson & Sons Funeral Home, North Chapel, on Saturday, December 30, 2017, at 2:00 p.m. with the Rev. Tony Cargle officiating. The American Legion Post #5 Honor Guard will extend military honors.

The family will receive friends at Henderson & Sons Funeral Home, North Chapel, on Saturday from 1:00 until 2:00 p.m.

Henderson & Sons Funeral Home, North Chapel, has charge of the arrangements. Richard Barron Cook

Capt. Larry E. Bray

Captain Larry E. Bray, USN (retired), 83, of Rome, and formerly of Cave Spring, died Wednesday, December 27, 2017, in a Rome hospital following an extended illness.

Mr. Bray was born in Chamblee, Georgia on July 30, 1934, son of the late Everett W. Bray and the late Hazel Harrison Bray. He was raised in Chamblee, graduated from the DeKalb County Schools, Georgia Institute of Technology, and Georgia State University. Mr. Bray joined the Navy where he did Aviation Flight Training at Pensacola, Fla. and Kingston, Texas, becoming a Navy fighter pilot. He served his country for 33 years, during the Korean Conflict and later in Reserve Duty at NAS Atlanta, retiring with the rank of Captain. Mr. Bray was a member of 901 E. Second Ave. 706-232-3646 Since 1895 www.daniels-funeralhome.com

Esther Miller Kimbrell

Mrs. Esther Miller Kimbrell, age 90, passed away at her residence Thursday, December 28, 2017. A celebration of Mrs. Kimbrell’s life will be conducted Friday, January 5, 2018, at 11:00 a.m. at First Presbyterian Church of Rome. The family will receive friends following the service in King Hall. A full obituary announcement will be in Sunday’s paper.

Daniel’s Funeral Home has charge of the arrangements.

ATLANTA (AP) — Veteran Atlanta television news anchor Amanda Davis, whose achievements included launching a segment encouraging foster children adoptions and an in-depth series about her alcoholism, has died. She was 62.

Davis, morning news anchor at CBS affiliate WGCL-TV, died Wednesday, a day after suffering a stroke while waiting for a flight at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, according to the station, known locally as CBS46. She was preparing to fly to San Antonio, Texas, to attend the funeral of a family member, CBS46 News Director Steve Doerr said.

“She was a real leader, a pro and a mentor,” Doerr said Thursday. “If you have an idea and you want to know whether it’s a good one or a bad one, you go to Amanda. I’ll miss that leadership.”

He said her colleagues were still struggling to deal with the news on Thursday.

“There are a lot of tears, a lot of hugs,” he said. “It’s a very quiet room today.”

Her death drew reaction from national organizations such as the National Association of Black Journalists, Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal, filmmaker Tyler Perry and some of the city’s most prominent leaders.

“Saddened to hear about the sudden passing of Atlanta news icon, Amanda Davis,” Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed tweeted Wednesday night.

Davis’ family is “asking for privacy at this difficult time,” the station reported.

Davis had been a presence on Atlanta TV news for more than 25 years.

Her numerous awards over the years included the Atlanta Association of Black Journalists Pioneer of the Year Award; and 10 Southeast Regional Emmy Awards, her station said.