1936
Martha
2019
Martha Ann Metzgar
February 2, 1936 — July 17, 2019
Ann Cooke Metzgar Obituary
Martha ANN Cooke Metzgar, age 83, died peacefully at home on July 17, 2019, surrounded by her family. Ann was born on February 2, 1936, daughter of Marie (Ridings) and John William Cooke, growing up in Merigold, MS where her beloved daddy was a planter and raised Angus cattle. Her big brother "Johnny Bill" was her constant protector (as well as frequent teaser!).
When her father's battle with cancer worsened, the family moved to Memphis, TN and Ann attended the convent boarding school in Nazareth, KY where the Sisters of Charity were a very formative source of spiritual inspiration and support. She completed her final two years of high school at Central High in Memphis and then attended Stephens College in Columbia, MO. Following graduation from Stephens, she attended and graduated from Memphis State University.
After college, Ann began an adventurous job in market research with Proctor and Gamble, traveling across the U.S. by train. One trip back to headquarters in Cincinnati included the invitation to a gathering of P&G employees which happened also to include a management recruit for the Kroger Corporation. He was a handsome young graduate of Cornell University named Dick Metzgar. She had found the love of her life and the two were married on May 2, 1959, beginning a journey together that lasted more than 60 years until the moment of her death.
Ann was first and foremost a devoted wife and mother, making Dick and children Debbie and Steve the loving center of her life and anchoring the family through multiple moves in OH and KY. Everywhere, she got involved with school, church and community. She taught by example life's gift of deep friendships, especially those centered in a shared love of Christ. In every place she lived, Ann formed lasting relationships that blessed all those who called her friend.
Ann's love of God permeated every aspect of her life and she gave powerful witness to the Gospel of Matthew's promise that those who serve "the least of these, my brothers and sisters" serve Jesus himself. Expressions of this include weekly feeding of the homeless on the streets of Dayton with an interracial group of Christians, her work to protect the unborn, and teaching ESOL to Cambodian refugees. She especially loved her volunteer work with Hospice of Dayton, which continued in Rabun County after she and Dick retired to Clayton. Always, she wanted others to know the love of Jesus, which made her work to establish Young Life in Dayton, and her Rule of Life as a Daughter of the King so meaningful to her.
Ann was preceded in death by her parents, her brother, Col. John Wm. Cooke, and infant son Andrew. Survivors include husband Dick, daughter Debbie Shew (David) of Durango, CO, son Steve Metzgar (Yellow Springs, OH) and granddaughter Hannah Shew (Durango). Also surviving her are stepgrandchildren Emma, Charlie (Durango) and Sam (Boulder, CO) and beloved Robertson cousins in Mississippi.
Services were held on Tuesday, July 23rd at 1:00 p.m. St. James Episcopal Church, Clayton, GA, the Rev. Mary Demmler presiding and the Rev. Doug Volk of Dillard United Methodist Church assisting.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to:
Hospice of Dayton,
324 Wilmington Ave, Dayton, OH 45420 or to
Option Ultrasound, a project that makes sonogram machines available to crisis pregnancy centers.
Checks to: Focus on the Family
Memo line: Option Ultrasound Project
Address: Focus on the Family
8605 Explorer Drive
Colorado Springs, CO 80920
Martha ANN Cooke Metzgar, age 83, died peacefully at home on July 17, 2019, surrounded by her family. Ann was born on February 2, 1936, daughter of Marie (Ridings) and John William Cooke, growing up in Merigold, MS where her beloved daddy was a planter and raised Angus cattle. Her big brother "Johnny Bill" was her constant protector (as well as frequent teaser!).
When her father's battle with cancer worsened, the family moved to Memphis, TN and Ann attended the convent boarding school in Nazareth, KY where the Sisters of Charity were a very formative source of spiritual inspiration and support. She completed her final two years of high school at Central High in Memphis and then attended Stephens College in Columbia, MO. Following graduation from Stephens, she attended and graduated from Memphis State University.
After college, Ann began an adventurous job in market research with Proctor and Gamble, traveling across the U.S. by train. One trip back to headquarters in Cincinnati included the invitation to a gathering of P&G employees which happened also to include a management recruit for the Kroger Corporation. He was a handsome young graduate of Cornell University named Dick Metzgar. She had found the love of her life and the two were married on May 2, 1959, beginning a journey together that lasted more than 60 years until the moment of her death.
Ann was first and foremost a devoted wife and mother, making Dick and children Debbie and Steve the loving center of her life and anchoring the family through multiple moves in OH and KY. Everywhere, she got involved with school, church and community. She taught by example life's gift of deep friendships, especially those centered in a shared love of Christ. In every place she lived, Ann formed lasting relationships that blessed all those who called her friend.
Ann's love of God permeated every aspect of her life and she gave powerful witness to the Gospel of Matthew's promise that those who serve "the least of these, my brothers and sisters" serve Jesus himself. Expressions of this include weekly feeding of the homeless on the streets of Dayton with an interracial group of Christians, her work to protect the unborn, and teaching ESOL to Cambodian refugees. She especially loved her volunteer work with Hospice of Dayton, which continued in Rabun County after she and Dick retired to Clayton. Always, she wanted others to know the love of Jesus, which made her work to establish Young Life in Dayton, and her Rule of Life as a Daughter of the King so meaningful to her.
Ann was preceded in death by her parents, her brother, Col. John Wm. Cooke, and infant son Andrew. Survivors include husband Dick, daughter Debbie Shew (David) of Durango, CO, son Steve Metzgar (Yellow Springs, OH) and granddaughter Hannah Shew (Durango). Also surviving her are stepgrandchildren Emma, Charlie (Durango) and Sam (Boulder, CO) and beloved Robertson cousins in Mississippi.
Services were held on Tuesday, July 23rd at 1:00 p.m. St. James Episcopal Church, Clayton, GA, the Rev. Mary Demmler presiding and the Rev. Doug Volk of Dillard United Methodist Church assisting.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to:
Hospice of Dayton,
324 Wilmington Ave, Dayton, OH 45420 or to
Option Ultrasound, a project that makes sonogram machines available to crisis pregnancy centers.
Checks to: Focus on the Family
Memo line: Option Ultrasound Project
Address: Focus on the Family
8605 Explorer Drive
Colorado Springs, CO 80920
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