Elsie (Kelly) Lyon Cook

Mrs. Elsie Kelly Lyon Cook, 77, wife of Terry W. Cook, and the late Chesley Emerson “Bud” Lyon and Donald Mack Matthews passed away peacefully, surrounded by family on Tuesday, February 23, 2021 at McLeod Hospice in Florence, SC.

Elsie, also known by many as “Mama Elsie”, was born on March 16, 1943 in Lake City, SC, a daughter of the late Reverend Theodore “Son” Kelly and Essie Kelly Teal.  She graduated from Lake City High School and attended Emmanuel Bible College in Georgia.  She was employed by Farmers Telephone Company for over 30 years.  In her early years, she owned a catering business named Delicious Delights and for the last 30 years was a tax preparer.  She enjoyed cooking and baking for family and friends, working in her flower beds, painting, and shopping trips to Sam’s.

Mama Elsie was the longest attending church member of 75 years at the Lake City PH Church, where she and her family joined when she was two years old.  She served many roles during her years in the church including Teen Talent Coordinator, Girls Auxiliary Leader, VBS leader, and Adult and Teen Choir Director.  She took over housekeeping at LCPH when the housekeeper retired and helped recruit workers for assistance.  Mama Elsie also served as Missions Director and led mission trips into many countries including the Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, Chira Island, Nicaragua, Haiti, Panama, and London, England.  She has also served as a volunteer at the McLeod Hospice House working along with the Hospice Chaplin.  She had a servant’s heart and truly enjoyed helping others.

Surviving are her husband Terry Woodrow Cook of Lake City; daughters Donna Matthews (Marty) Martin of Newport News, VA and Renee Matthews (Bill) Frederick of Williston; son William Eddie (Cyndi) Matthews of Scranton; brother Eddie Kelly of Columbia; grandchildren Myles McIntyre, Jaime Bush, Cory Bush, Lauren F. (Jason) Byars, Blake (Grace) Matthews, Rev. Jesse Matthews, Patrick Matthews and Nick Matthews; great grandsons, Jackson E. Byars, Eli Byars and Austin Byars; longtime friend Lila Mae McCutcheon, neighbor Bess Yates, special “adopted” daughter Teresa “Bug” Windham and “adopted” granddaughter Teri Osborne, and many other special nieces and nephews, family and friends.

Mama Elsie was preceded in death by her sisters Arcola Dennis, Elizabeth Gregory, and Julia Mae Wise Weber; brothers, William Kelly and Joseph Kelley; and grandson, Will Frederick.

Funeral services will be 4:00 PM, Thursday, February 25, 2021, at Lake City Pentecostal Holiness Church. Burial will be private.  

Due to COVID-19, the family request for everyone to wear a mask and please maintain the 6 foot social distancing.  The family also requests everyone to please refrain from hand shaking and hugging one another.

The family would like to extend a special thanks to McLeod Hospice, Lake Marion Nursing Facility, Robin Matthews and Annette Miles for their special care, and Dr. Wade Lamb and staff for their many years of loving care and service.

Memorials may be made to Shriners Hospital, St Jude Hospital, or the charity of one's choice.

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