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Saying bye, sharing memories
He seemed the least like a Bubba than anyone I’ve ever known.
Distinguished. Hair styled, not just cut. Well dressed.
George “Bubba” Cook was nicknamed by his sisters when he was just a tyke. It stuck.
Bubba died suddenly at his home in Pensacola Saturday. He was 55. Sandy Everette at Johnson-Quimby said his wife found him on the floor. He was already gone.
Sandy was not divulging a confidence at the funeral home. She was talking about her friend and co-worker. Bubba was the funeral director at Johnson-Quimby. Sandy said they had become like brother and sister.
Any funeral director worth his salt does exactly what Bubba did in his job. He was compassionate and caring. He paid attention to details. He was professional.
Recently, when we were working on a Reflections section of Atmore News, I interviewed Bubba about funeral services. Who could ever have imagined that a few short weeks later, it would be Bubba’s visitation and funeral service on our obituary page.
Chairman America
Another friend passed away recently.
William America was active in business and in the community. He loved serving on the Escambia County Commission, and he loved being chairman of that body.
The last time I talked with Chairman America was when Escambia County Sheriff’s Deputy Tommy America passed away. I went to the home of William and Pauline America to talk about their son. Chairman America was in bed, having had both legs partially amputated.
Once a robust man who was a presence in any room, he was now confined. But his mind was good and he still had a light in his eye.
I’ll remember him that way.
Powder Puff game
You should have been there. The ECHS vs. EA Powder Puff game played last Thursday was fun to watch.
I’m not a sports expert, but I predicted early in the game that this would be a high-scorer. And it was: ECHS-66, EA-72.
Now, back in the day, I was involved in a Powder Puff game, but not as a player. When I was a senior at ECHS, we had a Powder Puff game complete with homecoming court. Some of the guys dressed up and vied for the title of queen. And they had escorts. I borrowed my cousin Glenn’s suit and I escorted Don Whatley. That would be the same Don Whatley who currently heads up the city’s street and maintenance department.
I escorted Don onto the field. (I may have come up to his shoulder but probably not.) Ahead of us were two lines of “cheerleaders” (also guys dressed up) who were pelting the contestants and escorts with ice (if I remember correctly). As we neared the lines, Don leaned over to me and said, “Hold on.” With that, he took off running, his arm through mine. I think my feet hit the ground about every 10 yards. I felt as though I was flapping in the breeze.
Don didn’t win the crown. But we sure had a great time. We still talk about it now and then.
Click here to view our photo gallery from the most recent Powder Puff Football Game
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