Johnett “Cookie” Coombs passed away peacefully Aug. 20, 2021. Cookie was born Aug. 21, 1937, in New Geneva, Pa.
She was a longtime resident of Morgantown.
Cookie was an involved member of the community who devoted years of volunteer service to several Morgantown institutions. She was a member of the Monongalia County Board of Health and a lifetime member of Mon Health Medical Center Auxiliary. She was past-president of both MAC and CVB, and she worked directly with Sister Thecla at Christian Help.
She was a three-time president of Friends of WVU Hospital. Cookie and her dear friend, Helen Beto, founded the WVU Hospital Gift Shop program.
Cookie owned and operated Old Red House Antiques on Kirk Street. She was a member of the West Virginia Bed and Breakfast Association and was owner and innkeeper of Almost Heaven Bed and Breakfast. For six years hers was the friendly, helpful voice you heard when you called MCVB — while working there she was the best possible ambassador for Morgantown.
Cookie was so many things to so many people. She was funny but kind, irreverent but caring. She was talented and creative — she could do anything and do it well. She was the person you would choose to be your friend. No one enjoyed life more than Cookie — it was an adventure to be taken with an emphasis on fun. Just being in her presence made you happy to know her.
Cookie is survived by children, Nora Sheets, of Morgantown, Beth Sheets, of Centreville, Va., Scott Coombs, of Granada Hills, Calif., and Kytt Howard, of Morgantown; and sisters, Leslie Garretson (Sam), of Marietta, Ga., Anne Coombs (Toni), of Lutz, Fla.
She was preceded in death by husband, James E. Coombs; son, Sean C. Coombs; and father, Leslie Jamison.
Indicative of her generous spirit, Cookie requested her body be donated to WVU Health Sciences for the advancement of medical research.
The family thanks WV Caring for extraordinary care and kindness during a time of need, especially Carrie, Cindy, Lindsey, Kathy, Mandy and social worker Amanda. The family also thanks friends and family members for their support, love and friendship.
We will miss her forever, but we don’t find the world a darker place without her. Instead, we know it is a much brighter place because she was here, and those who love her will think of her every day and smile.
Donations in her memory can be made to Christian Help of Morgantown, 219 Walnut St., Morgantown, WV 26505.
A memorial service will be held at a later date. Internment at Arlington National Cemetery, alongside husband, James E. Coombs, to follow.
