Mary Nell Cooksey peacefully departed this life surrounded by family and friends on March 3rd, 2022 in Savannah, Tennessee at the age of 82. She was born on May 2nd, 1939 in Hardin County TN to the late Frank Allen Sawner and Roxie Lee Rhea Sawner.
Ms. Cooksey graduated from Central High School in 1957 and later attended Jackson Business College. She had a long career in the healthcare industry beginning at Hurst General Hospital in Fort Worth, TX before retiring as Patient Billing Administrator at Hardin County Medical Center.
She accepted Christ as her savior at an early age and remained deeply devoted to her faith throughout her life. She was a member of the Carpenters Shop in Savannah, TN and spent much of her time volunteering in her church kitchen, Hardin County Jesus Cares Ministry, and CAM Food Pantry.
In addition to volunteering, she enjoyed traveling, cooking for others, southern gospel music, watching Wheel of Fortune, and dining out. She was a long-time member of the Republican Women’s Club of Savannah and served as past president of the Hardin Medical Center Credit Union.
She was a loving and devoted mother, sister, grandmother, and friend, with her greatest joy derived from spending time with her great grandchildren.
She is survived by her daughter: Renee’ Harmon Adamsville, TN; granddaughters Julianne Fowler (Jared) of Germantown, TN and Kaitlyn Chappell (Ricky) of Savannah, TN; grandsons Ben Harmon of Savannah, TN and Luke Harmon of Adamsville, TN; great grandchildren Justus Hardin (Cade), Charlee Harmon both of Savannah, TN, Barrett and Reed Harmon of Adamsville, TN, Jack, Anna, Elizabeth and Mitchell Fowler of Germantown, TN; brother David Sawner (Reba) of Savannah, TN.
In addition to her parents, Ms. Cooksey was preceded in death by a son, Jimmy Cooksey, sister Carolyn Harmon, and son-in-law Ron Harmon.
A celebration of her life will be conducted at Shackelford Funeral Home in Savannah, TN on Saturday, March 5th, 2022. The family will receive guests beginning at 12 o’clock in the afternoon for visitation, with a funeral following at 3 o’clock.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in her memory to local food ministries including CAM and Jesus Cares of Hardin County.