Norma Ruth Cook

Norma “Ruth” Cook, 77, of Fairburn, GA passed away Saturday, March 25, 2023, in her home. She was born June 27, 1945, in Atlanta, Georgia and was residing in the same home where she lived as a child. A graduate of Campbell High School, she worked at Southern Bell prior to taking a position with Southern Airways and moving to Huntsville, AL. (’65-’70). She married country musician Marlin Miller, but later divorced. Ruth moved to Nashville, TN where she worked for Eastern Airlines and accepted a position at a musical booking agent where she became associated with country music insiders. Her personality and charm was instrumental in making friends with many legendary song writers and country music artists. Many of those relationships lasted her entire life. In the 1970s she met Norwegian cruise ship captain Karsten Hansen. They were married and traveled Norway and Europe extensively before moving to Miami. They later divorced. Ruth continued to maintain her contacts in country music and her Miami home was often referred to as “Nashville South” as it was quite normal to mingle with song writers, musicians and country singers at any time. Between her passion for writing and the country music social circle she worked for Air Florida until it ceased operations. She had aspired to write professionally since she was a teenager, which led her to take a secretary position at the “Miami News” (’80). She became friends with several outstanding journalist and worked her way up to writing a weekly column and features in the Sunday Magazine section until the paper’s demise. She received the National Newspaper Columnist Award while at the Miami News. Ruth also wrote for “Yachting Magazine,” “Florida Sportsman,” “Community News” as special project writer and under the pen name of Rita Key-Largo (’88). She returned to Fairburn, GA and renovated her family childhood home. Ruth worked in Atlanta for ValuJet, Airtran Airways and finally Southwest Airlines where she retired as Engine Shop Logistics Coordinator. Over the years she was an advocate for women’s rights and equality, animal rights and supported the Sierra Club and other charities. She was an avid fan of Atlanta Falcons football and loved deep sea fishing. She is preceded in death by her parents, brother Paul and sister Margaret. She is survived by her niece Lisa (Terry) Nickels, her husband Brian and their daughter Sarah of Austin, TX; nephews, Jeff Terry, Glenn Terry and Mark Terry of Atlanta, GA; cousin, Phillip Northcutt of Newnan, GA; sister-n-law Marlene Blackthorne of Rockmart, GA. A private graveside service will be held on Saturday, April 29, 2023 at 11 o’clock at Bethlehem Baptist Church in Fairburn, GA followed by a public Celebration of Life from 2-5pm at the Family Life Missionary Baptist Church, 107 Highland Hills Rd., Fayetteville GA. 30214. In lieu of flowers the family request donations to help with final expenses be made via, CashApp: $3Nickels or Venmo: @Lisa-Nickels-8

Norma Ruth Cook

June 27, 1945 - March 25, 2023