Vonda Cook

Vonda Verl Harbaugh Cook, 90, of Cleveland, TN, passed away peacefully at her home on June 28, 2026, surrounded by the love of her family. Born on April 1, 1936, in Sumner, Illinois, Vonda was the daughter of Cecil and Juanita Harbaugh.

Before graduating from Bridgeport High School in 1954, she married the love of her life, Richard Cook, on April 3, 1954. Together they shared 69 wonderful years of marriage and were blessed with six children. Vonda's first job was an administrative assistant at radio station WLVN in Olney, Illinois. After her marriage, she worked at the family restaurant, Cook's Confectionery in Bridgeport, Illinois. Following Richard's return from military service in Korea and the birth of their first son, the family moved to Colorado. During a holiday trip back to Illinois, they were miraculously saved from a blizzard they were stranded in 24 hours. As their family grew, Vonda devoted herself wholeheartedly to raising her children.

Even before becoming a member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, she faithfully took her children to Sabbath School each week. After her baptism in 1969, her faith became the foundation of her life. She faithfully served her church as a Deaconess, Sabbath School teacher and various positions in Pathfinders, ministering to countless families through 43 years of Pathfinder service. Following Richard's retirement from the United States Airforce, the family moved from Tucson, AZ to Cleveland, TN, in 1974, where Vonda made her home for the next 52 years. Throughout the years, she worked various jobs to help provide a Christian education for all six of her children. Yet her greatest calling was being a devoted wife, loving mother, grandmother and homemaker. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Richard Cook; her parents, Cecil and Juanita Harbaugh; one older brother; two younger brothers; and two younger sisters.

She is survived by her brother, Phillip Harbaugh; her children Jeffery Cook (Dianne) of Sequim, WA, Pamela Lassiter (David) of Cleveland, TN, James Cook (Tina) of Cleveland, TN, Janice Cook of Puyallup, WA, Eric Cook of Cleveland, TN and Tricia Micklewright (Clay) of Cleveland. She also leaves behind 18 cherished grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren, and numerous extended family member and dear friends whose lives she touched.

As a woman of deep Christian faith, Vonda rested in the blessed hope of Christ's promise. She now sleeps peacefully, awaiting the glorious Second Coming of Jesus and the resurrection morning, when the trumpets will sound and the faithful will be reunited forever. "What a day that will be!"

Visitation will be held on Sunday, July 12, 2026 from 5pm to 8pm at Companion Funeral Home - The Ridge Sanctuary. A Celebration of Life service will be held on Monday, July 13, 2026, at 11am at Bowman Hills SDA Church, followed by interment at Chattanooga National Cemetery. 

In lieu of flowers the family requests that memorial donations be made to the Richard Cook Pathfinder Fund at Bowman Hills SDA Church, 300 Westview Drive, Cleveland, TN 37311.

You are invited to share a personal memory of Vonda or your condolences with her family at her online memorial located at www.companionfunerals.com. Companion Funeral Home of Cleveland and the Cody family are honored to assist the family with these arrangements.