Page 9 - The Fayetteville Press Newspaper March 27, 2026 Edition

The Fayetteville Press March 27, 2026 Edition Page 9a

OBITUARARYY
OBITU PAAGEGE
OBITUARY
OBITU
OBITUARARYY
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PAGE
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PAAGEGE

Sandra “Sandy” Cookman entered eternal rest on March 4, 2026, surrounded by the love of family
and the grace of God. Sandy was born in Mount Olive, North Carolina, on February 13, 1955, to the late Myra
and James Outlaw. She was raised alongside her siblings: Billy Outlaw, Jeanette Perry, Lynette Didly, and Myra
Renee’ Outlaw.

Sandy lived a faithful and fruitful life with her loving husband, Charles “Wes” Cookman, and their daughter,
Kim. She was a proud wife, mother, daughter, sister, aunt, business owner, community leader, and friend. She
loved cooking, spending time with family, traveling, sports, and especially cheering for her beloved Tar Heels.

She attended Southern Wayne High School where she served in student government and was crowned
Homecoming Queen by her peers. Sandy later attended North Carolina Central University and continued her
education by earning certifications from several accredited leadership and training organizations, including
the Radio Advertising Bureau, the Zig Ziglar “Born to Win” training program, Effective Business Presentations,
and multiple training programs through the North Carolina Association of Broadcasters.

In the Fall of 1987, after working for TV 62 and volunteering, Sandy joined WIDU full-time. Encouraged
by her future husband, Wes, the two became a dynamic duo-partnering together to grow WIDU from a single
daytime AM radio station into a 24-hour Gospel radio network with eight frequency transmissions: WIDU
99.7 FM & 1600 AM, WAGR 97.1 FM & 1340 AM, WEWO 92.5 FM & 1460 AM, and WYDU 98.5 FM &
1160 AM, along with a social media audience of more than 20,000 active followers.

Sandy’s effective leadership helped the WIDU Anniversary grow into a seven-day, eleven-event
celebration that welcomed more than 40,000 people. Her dedication ensured that tickets remained affordable
so families could worship together, and no one had to stay home.

Sandy was truly a visionary! While co-leading the WIDU Anniversary, she also created the annual WIDU
Women’s Empowerment Luncheon, a fellowship event designed to encourage women to dream, believe, and
achieve.

Her life was a testament to faith, service, courage, and love. She leaves to cherish her memory a host of
nieces, nephews, friends, and a community who will always remember and honor “Sandy”.
Professional Services Entrusted To:
Wiseman Mortuary, Inc.
’The Hallmark of Quality * Service
431 Cumberland Street *Fayetteville, NC * Call Us: (910) 483-7111
wwwwisemanmortuaryinc.com

WISEMAN MORTUARY INC. Metropolitan Crematorium, Inc. A Bouquet Florist

431 Cumberland Street * Fayetteville, NC 28301 3809 Raeford Road Suite B *Fayetteville, NC (910) 488-2312
Phone: (910) 339-8010 * Fax (910) 339-8020 Next to Suburban Mart
"Dignified, Professional And Friendly Service "We do fresh & silk flowers for all occasions"
Within The Means Of All" 2112 Murchison Road * Fayetteville, NC 28301
www.abouquetfloristoffayetteville@gmail.com

* Full Services by Funeral Director and Staff
*Local transfer of deceased to the crematory
*Preparing and filing all necessary certificates and permits
*The cremation process perfomed at our on site facility Calvin & Agnes Smith - Owners
Tryphina Wiseman *Onsite virtual viewing at start of cremation (910) 488-2312
(910) 483-7111 Obituaries February & March 2026
Complete Insurance Protection www.metropolitancrematorium.com
Over 45 Years Of Experience & Services Emma Thorne Prince Lytch
Licensed Embalmers and Funeral Director metrocrematorium@gmail.com Eva Smith Jannis Brown
Berrika Fuller Graciela TemajBail
Hattie Cummings Mannie Birch
George Murphy
Cunningham Mortuary & Grace Jones Mary Crockett
Bertha Sanders
Cremations, Inc Beatrice Bethea Daniel Herpen
Jessie Williams
Louis High Anne Gaskill
3809 Raeford Road * Fayetteville, NC 28304 Larry Black
Eugenia Felder
Phone: (910) 433-2616 * Fax (910) 485-4059 Iola Wilson Antonio Tippitte
Michael McEachern Rufus Bethea
Diane McKoy James Pierce, Jr.
Margretta Betton Lee V.Stocks ,Jr.
Dinah McQuillar Kevin Baggett
Sandra “Sandy” Cookman Ambree Spearman
Catherine Roberts Albert King
Joyce McMurray Harryson Anderson
Mi Chi Cha Robinson Jackie Hammonds
Charles McLaurin Wanda Sheridan
William Underwood Darlene Myrick
Christine Powell Gwendolyn Dockery
Ronald Gainey Deanna Thames
Robert Cahill
Family and Veteran Owned Annette Billie Tyrone Gillespie
William Lundy
and Operated Emanuel Strother Trina Fennell
Frank Haley, Jr.
“Professional Caring Services” Gwendolyn Johnson Rufus Leggett
Linda Leak
Lawrence Grinage LaDona Whited
La Marcus Council Robert McLaughlin
Traditional & Memorial Services Akeleah Smith De’Shard cMillan
Military Honors Elizabeth Bryant, Sr. Robert Gouible
Magalene Dix Noah Ratley
Jose Avila Edward Furlong
Cremations * Monuments * Pre Arrangements! Juanita Jones Barbara Gill
Devern Patterson
Crematory on the premise Teriesta Melvin
Lucille Brown
Large Chapel 300 seating James Jones,Jr.
Live Streaming Gloria Baldwin
Steven Broadie
www.cunninghamandsonsnc.com Anthony Draughn
csonsmortuary@gmail.com Gerald Williams
Theodoshia McDonald