Mattie Joan Cook was born on August 27, 1939 in Jackson County, Kentucky and departed this life on January 22, 2024 at her daughter’s home on Saint Simons Island, Georgia, with her husband of 65 years at her bedside.
Mattie was the third of six daughters born to Charlie and Dora Cook of McKee. Mattie graduated
from Tyner High School in 1958, and married James E. McGeorge that same year. Mattie was a
member of Mt. Zion Church. After moving to Ohio, the couple was blessed with a daughter, Linda, in 1960. Mr. McGeorge’s career eventually led him to relocate to Atlanta, Georgia where the family lived for many years in Stone Mountain.
Mattie retired from Big Star Grocery after more than 10 years, to join James in retirement. The
couple lived in Florida for several years, later moving to Saint Simons to live with their daughter and son-in-law.
Mattie was an excellent cook, an accomplished seamstress, and enjoyed canning volumes of
produce from her garden. Her son-in-law will never forget how much he enjoyed his first taste of
the delicious dried beans she called “leather britches”.
In retirement James and Mattie enjoyed fishing, visiting Cypress Gardens, and traveling in their
motorhome on two extensive trips out West.
In addition to her parents, Mattie was predeceased by her oldest sister Omalee Byrd. She is
survived by her husband, James McGeorge, and daughter Linda (James) Henderson, sisters
Barbara Stevens, Betty (William) Bingham, Janice (Vernon) Ward, and Claudia Vickers.
Lakes Funeral Home (www.lakesfuneralhome.com) is entrusted with the funeral arrangements.
The service will be Saturday, January 27, 2024 at noon, preceded by family visitation at 10:00 and friends visitation at 11:00. Burial will follow the service at Egypt Cemetery. Pallbearers will beDavid Byrd, Michael Byrd, Richie Baker, Keith Ward, Danny Spurlock, and Tim Bingham.
