Barsha Lou Cook (Seymour)'s Obituary
Barsha L. Cook, life-long Diggins resident and beloved wife of Ben “Dude” Cook, peacefully departed this earthly life surrounded by family on Thursday, September 11, 2014, at her residence in Diggins. Barsha was sixty-four years, six months and three days young.
One of two children, she was born Barsha Lou Ragsdale on March 8, 1950, to Carl Edward and Sylvia Anna Imogene (Hargus) Ragsdale in Diggins, Missouri. She married Benjamin Franklin Cook, Jr., on December 8, 1968, and to this union four children were born. An outgoing personality and love for her community encouraged Barsha to serve the public in many ways over the years. She was the Diggins assistant post master for nearly twenty years, Diggins city clerk for a number of years, secretary and board member of the Southern Webster County Fire Protection District, and board member for the Village of Diggins, just to name a few. Always looking for ways to better her community, she was the original driving force to get 9-1-1 enacted in Webster County. Barsha was also well-known as a talented florist, first opening a shop in Diggins which eventually moved to the square in Seymour. She ran her floral shop for fifteen years. A local annual event very near and dear to her heart and there from the first year, Barsha was one of a small group of men and women from Harvest Time Tabernacle and then Diggins Apostolic Church who fed fried pies and chili to thousands of folks over the years during Apple Fest – she made the best chili. Barsha played many roles within her community and supported local events, but her favorite part to play was Grandma. Family and her grandchildren and great-grandchildren were her whole world. She was a very fun-loving and involved Grandma and any spare time was spent with her grandkids, babysitting and supporting their activities. Barsha was preceded in death by her parents, Carl and Sylvia Ragsdale; and her brother, Phillip Lee Ragsdale. Barsha leaves behind her devoted husband of nearly forty-six years, Ben “Dude” Cook, of the home; daughter, Beth Joyce and significant other Kevin Knifong, of Diggins; daughter, Becky Cook and significant other Deborah Beaman, of Diggins; daughter, B.J. Kissinger and husband Beau, of Fordland, Missouri; son, Bo Cook and wife Ashley, of Diggins; seven grandchildren, Heather Thomas and husband Zach; Whitney Joyce; Ashley and Brittany Sander; Bella Jo Kissinger; and Bailey and Bristol Cook; three great-grandchildren, Hunter Thomas, Riley Clark and Aydan Sanders; uncle, Johnny Hargus of Brighton, Missouri; two very special cousins whom Barsha considered sisters, Debbie Pogue and husband Danny, and Nawassa Raines and husband David; and many more extended family, dear friends and neighbors. Barsha Lou Cook was a loving wife and mother and the best grandma ever. She had enough love for several more cherished friends she took into her heart and family as her own. Among many things, she will be fondly remembered for her beautiful smile, great sense of humor and her warm heart. Barsha leaves behind a blessed legacy and lifetime of memories and moments that will be treasured forever in the hearts of her family and friends. She will be so deeply missed by all those blessed enough to have known her.
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