Sarah Frances Cook

Sarah Frances Rhodes Cook

Brandon, MS

Sarah Frances “Fran” Rhodes Cook was born on January 27, 1932, to W. D. (Winfry) and Etta Rhodes in Gulde, Mississippi. She peacefully passed on August 10. 2025 at the age of 93. Fran attended Cross Roads School in Gulde, MS and Brandon High School, graduating in 1950 where she was a member of the Brandon High School 1950 Girls State Basketball Championship Team.

In 1952 she met Eddie R. Cook of Jackson, MS and they were married at her parents’ home in Gulde, MS on August 23, 1953. Fran was a housewife and mother, and held several positions outside the home in retail, school administration, and as a Manager at H&R Block in DeSoto, TX. Fran was also a member of the Order of the Eastern Star for many years.

After traveling with her husband as a US Navy wife for 17 years and living in several different states up until 2005, Fran and Eddie made their way back to Brandon, MS in 2006. Fran enjoyed time with family, traveling, bowling, card games, sewing, and cooking. She was an excellent cook and seamstress. Her family was always very well fed and the girls were always beautifully dressed in the clothes she made for them – everything from school and play clothes to formals and wedding dresses. Fran enjoyed working with her hands and passed these skills along to her daughters.

Fran was a member of The Church at Shiloh (formerly Shiloh United Methodist Church) in Pelahatchie, MS.

Fran was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and dementia and lived out her final years at Claiborne County Senior Center in Port Gibson, MS. The family is thankful for all the staff members who took such good care of her. She has triumphed over Alzheimer’s and is now at peace.

Fran is preceded in death by her husband, Eddie R. Cook, her father, W.D. Rhodes, her mother, Etta Rhodes, and three sisters: Margie Pugh, Theo McLemore, and Patsy Adams. She is survived by her brother, J.W. Rhodes of Brandon, MS; her sister, Jean (Robert) Milner; daughters: Jeanie (Jonathan) Byrnes of Port Gibson, MS; Paula (George) Pratte of Driftwood, TX; Anita (Rickie) Greer of Byram, MS; and Linda (Camille) Marroush of Aliso Viejo, CA; eight grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

Fran loved bright, colorful materials in her clothing and her favorite flower was the red rose. The family requests that mourners dress accordingly. Visitation will be held at Ott & Lee Funeral Home. 1360 W. Government St., Brandon, MS 39042, on Saturday, August 16, 2025, from 9:30 a.m., with the celebration of life service to follow at 10:30 a.m.. She will be laid to rest at The Church at Shiloh Cemetery, 2394 Shiloh Rd., Pelahatchie, MS.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Campground Fund at The Church at Shiloh, 2394 Shiloh Rd., Pelahatchie, MS 39145.