Virginia "Ginny" Dawn Cook

Virginia "Ginny" Dawn Cook of Cleveland went to meet her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Oct. 22, 2017.

Ginny was born Aug. 27, 1954, in Springfield, Pennsylvania. Ginny grew up the daughter of an Air Force officer, and traveled the world during her school-age years. She went to high school in the Netherlands, and attended college in Munich, Germany. She loved spending time with cousins and family at her grandparents' beach house in New Jersey.

Ginny was a compassionate animal lover, and opened her own small business of 25 years, Precious Pets pet grooming, in Decatur, Georgia. It was there that she would meet her husband of 25 years, Richard Kay Cook, Jr.

Together they pursued their proudest accomplishment, loving and leading their lives in the ways of Jesus Christ. Ginny was prolific in her ministry with other women, sang in several church choirs, and volunteered for Christian mission trips around the world.

Most recently, Ginny underwent nurses' training and found her true passion: helping others as a hospice nurse.

She loved to travel, from beaches in Mexico to small campgrounds in North Georgia.

Ginny was preceded in death by her parents, Richard and Jeanne "Connie" Hazard.

She is survived by her husband; her daughter, Lynda Oliver and granddaughter Kristin; son, Ricky Sammt; her sister, Lynda Browning (John); nieces, Shawn Connell (Bobby) and family, and Virginia Mazzoni (Andrew) and family; nephew, Robert Browning; mother-in-law, Charlotte Cook; sister-in-law, Kay Bryant (Brad); brother-in-law, Chris Cook (Carla); and stepdaughter, Chelsea McGinnis (Walt).

Ginny also provided loving homes for countless dogs and cats her entire life. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in her memory to the Charles Smithgall Humane Society, P.O. Box 2090, Cleveland, GA 30528, or the charitable cause of your choosing.

The celebration of Ginny's life will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 5, 2017, at St. John Missionary Baptist Church, 87 Hood Street, Cleveland, GA 30528.

Barrett Funeral Home, Cleveland.