Paula Cook Tharp, 65, of Indianola, passed away Saturday, December 14, 2019 at her home.

Paula was born August 15, 1954, in Indianola and was the daughter of James Witty "Pete" Cook and Betty Jane Bailey Barnett. She worked as a receptionist and dental assistant for Dr. Stratton and Dr. Martin until their retirement. Paula loved her family, especially her grandchildren. She enjoyed reading and watching television. Paula was a member of Indianola Church of Christ.

She was preceded in death by her father, James "Pete" Cook; stepfather, Ward Kentor Barnett; brother, Jimmy Cook; and sister, Renea Barnett Farrow.

Paula is survived by two daughters, Charity Fleming Blackburn and her husband Dale, and Tamara Williams Rozier both of Greenwood; mother, Betty Barnett of Greenwood; stepmother, Rayma Cook of Indianola; three brothers, Kenneth Victor Lewis, Jr. of Willow Springs, North Carolina, Ward Kentor "Buster" Barnett of Frisco, North Carolina, and Timothy Alvin Cook of Winona; three sisters, Martha Barnett Caton of Frisco, North Carolina, Lisa Hope of Heber Springs, Arkansas, and Pam Hodges of Itta Bena; four grandsons, Edward Earl "Trey" Cobb, III, James Brantley Rodgers, Jackson Baylor Rozier, and Williams Brewer "Will" Rozier; and her beloved chocolate lab, Lulu.

The family will receive friends Thursday, December 26, 2019 from 2:00 pm until 3:30 pm at Burton Funeral Home in Indianola. Burton Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or the Hough-Dement Animal Shelter, P. O. Box 269, Indianola, MS 38751.

Online condolences may be shared with the family by visiting www.burtonfuneralhome.net