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Friday, July 18, 2025
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Rhonda Jo Bridges Cook passed away peacefully at University Medical Center (UMC) in Lubbock, TX on June 23, 2025, after being critically injured in an auto accident the week prior. She had been surrounded by her loving family and her husband, Eric of 47 years before she walked into the arms of her Savior.
Rhonda was born May 6, 1957, and was the youngest daughter of Robert Burns and Martha (Mays) Bridges. She joined her two big sisters, Burna and Marsha, to complete their family. Rhonda was nicknamed ‘Rusty’ by her family when she was a little girl because of her beautiful red hair. During her early years, Rhonda attended Carlsbad Public Schools and graduated from Bethel Christian School in 1975. After graduation she attended Arlington Baptist College, majoring in music, before returning to Carlsbad where she met her husband. Rhonda and Eric Paul Cook were united in marriage on March 11, 1978. Together they had two sons, Robert Burns Cook and Cory Tate Cook. They resided in Carlsbad when the boys were little and then moved to Ft. Worth, Texas so her husband could attend seminary. Rhonda was very supportive of her husband and taught music at a preschool during their seminary years.
After seminary they moved to Lewisville, TX and worked alongside each other in ministry. Rhonda was also an account executive at Verizon while they lived in Texas. One of Rhonda’s greatest passions was working with a little boy named Connor Kirby-Trafton who is autistic. She did a lot of training to learn about his needs and spent many hours with him. Rhonda and Eric were more like grandparents to Connor and considered him to be a part of their family. In recent years Rhonda had been working with the Carlsbad Municipal Schools as a substitute and then became a part of the team with food services in 2014. Her knowledge of nutrition and menu planning was invaluable. She made many friends while working with the schools and made a significant impact on her co-workers.
Rhonda had a tremendous love for her entire family. She loved sending gifts to everyone, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren who were the joy of her life. She was very devoted to her family, especially her husband, and lived her life to its fullest. She was a faithful follower of Jesus Christ and a woman of excellent virtue with compassion for others. Rhonda was a gifted pianist, vocalist, seamstress, and cook. She enjoyed being a planner/organizer and did everything she could to make things fun. Her many talents included cake decorating, crocheting, scrapbooking, and gardening. She also loved to host tea parties at Blodgett Street Baptist Church to benefit New Beginnings Caring Pregnancy Center in Carlsbad. She could always spot someone who needed a friend, and she would become that person for them.
Survivors include her husband, Eric Paul Cook; along with her son Robert and wife, Charissa; grandchildren: Tyler (Peyton) Scott, Emily (Miguel) De Paz, Christian Cook, Matthew Cook, Jonathan Cook, Andrew Cook, Elissa Cook, Isaiah Cook, Keziah Cook, and Kaliyah Cook; great-grandchildren: Alayna and Samara De Paz, Baylor, Waylon, and Everlee Scott; sisters, Burna Bevers and Marsha (Ronnie) Davis; sister-in-law’s, Donna (Greg) Pate and Janie (Mickey) Pittman. She is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. Her grandsons will be honorary pallbearers. Rhonda was preceded in death by her parents, her son, Cory Tate Cook, father-in-law, and her brother-in-laws: Ron Munro, Floyd Bevers, and Jim Robison.
The family would like to thank the Surgical/Trauma team at UMC in Lubbock for their excellent care after Rhonda’s accident.
Visitation will be held 5:00 PM-7:00PM, Thursday, July 17, 2025 at Denton-Wood Funeral Home. A Celebration of life is scheduled for 2:00 PM, Friday, July 18, 2025 at Blodgett Street Baptist Church.
Blodgett Street Baptist Church
Denton-Wood Funeral Home
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