GREENEVILLE – With a touching blend of tears, humor and personal stories, Tusculum University remembered the life of freshman Payton Cook as it reflected on the challenging reality of his passing during a memorial service Monday, Dec. 8.
Mike Brisbin, Tusculum’s men’s lacrosse coach, speaks at the service
Holly Ratcliff, one of Payton Cook’s professors, reads some of what her student had written.
Cook also played a role, even though he was not physically present, through his heartwarming story of his finding peace through Jesus Christ. His message, shared by his professor, Holly Ratcliff, came through a writing assignment issued in November in one of his English classes. She asked students to share about a person or an event that had a positive impact or influence on their lives.
Speaking at the memorial service, Ratcliff said Cook’s words resonated with her because he shared his thoughts in a way that illuminated a path he had been following throughout the semester. She called his message reflective and authentic and said it showed the heart of a student that had been hiding below a polite and composed surface. She then read a portion of what he wrote.
“One of the best decisions in my life was to give it to Jesus Christ,” Cook said. “I went through a time in my life where I felt broken, alone, with no help and overall melancholy. Then a complete stranger suggested I pray and Jesus will listen and help. So I did, and from that point, I haven’t looked back. Jesus has helped me have a more positive outlook on life. Through trying to live by His ways, I have shifted my life for the better. In my day-to-day life, I try to live by His name and His ways and not by my own.
“Keeping Jesus in my mind serves as a reminder that He is the quintessential meaning of love and charity. There is so much hate in today’s society, so if I can be the reason that someone’s day is even the slightest bit better, then that makes my day that much better.”
Cook, who was in the business administration program and a member of the men’s lacrosse team, then quoted Philippians 4:13: “I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me.” He said he liked to remember this verse when he was feeling weak in his daily life or as a lacrosse player. He also said his anger has lessened since he turned to Christ.
“Taking a deep breath and forgiving is what Jesus has taught me to do,” Cook said. “Spreading Jesus’ love instead of hatred is something I aim to do in everything.”
The ceremony was a chance for people who knew Cook, known to “Cookie” by friends, to reflect on him. The service also incorporated the spiritual elements through songs such as “It is Well with My Soul” and “Amazing Grace” as well as the reading of Psalm 46:1, Psalm 23 and Romans 8:28-29.
The memorial service came in the aftermath of Cook’s passing in a car accident Friday, Dec. 5. Four other students who were with him in the car were injured and taken to the hospital but have since been released. Cook’s passing has brought an outpouring of support from the community and bonded the Tusculum family.
The men’s lacrosse team signed Payton Cook’s jersey. It will be presented to the Cook family.
Jordan York, one of the injured students, speaks at the service.
About 800 students, faculty, staff and community members attended the memorial service in Pioneer Arena. Many attendees took the opportunity to sign and leave messages in books the university provided. All of Cook’s teammates also signed his jersey, which will be framed and presented to his family.
Cook’s family attended the service and hugged the lacrosse players at the conclusion. The family and the team also posed for a photo with Cook’s jersey.
Mike Brisbin, the head men’s lacrosse, spoke and thanked everyone for attending the service and expressed his appreciation to the first responders, the Tusculum family and the community. He also thanked the men’s lacrosse family. Speaking about Cook, he said he knew after the first recruiting call that this student-athlete would help elevate the culture the men’s lacrosse team at Tusculum is building. He said fellow Tusculum players quickly gravitated to Cook and his genuine, caring and easy-going personality.
“I knew we had a young man who was going to leave a positive mark and legacy on our program and our university,” Brisbin said. “Cookie will still leave that legacy but in a way that none of us could have ever imagined. Payton will be honored and remembered forever in the Tusculum family and the Tusculum program. We love you, Cookie.”
One of the injured team members, Jordan York, spoke during the service and wore the shirt Cook was going to give him. His best friend was Cook, and his remarks brought tears and some laughter to the audience.
“Payton Cook was one-of-a-kind,” York said with his emotions on his sleeve. “He wasn’t just a regular student on campus. Words couldn’t even describe how amazing he was. Cookie had this gentle way of making everyone feel welcome and loved. No matter what, every single day, Cookie never failed to put a smile on his face.
“Me and Cookie and other guys spent every day with each other. Me and Cookie even made sure that next semester, we had every class together. If there was ever something on my mind, I could go to him, and he would sit there and listen to what I had to say. The love that Cookie had for his friends and family was so strong. When Cookie loved someone, he loved hard.”
York talked about other times he spent with Cook.
“I will miss fishing and hiking and being able to talk to him,” York said. “What I will miss about Cookie is the way he made life feel lighter just by being around. If you ever got the chance to talk to him, you are very lucky. People like him don’t come around often. Knowing him was one of the greatest gifts of my life. He’s in better hands now, and Cookie, if you’re listening, keep watching over us. I love you, bro.”
The men’s lacrosse team and the Cook family gather for a photo after the service.
Dr. Scott Hummel, Tusculum’s president, said everyone in his position dreads the thought of receiving the call that one of his students has been injured and especially one that one has lost his life. But he said that call does not remotely compare to the one the parents receive.
He commended the Tusculum family for responding with compassion and support, particularly those who were directly involved in responding to the accident. He also highlighted how the injured student-athletes were primarily concerned about the well-being of others and how their teammates rallied around them.
“The team drew on each other for support, strength and brotherly love,” Dr. Hummel said. “Sunday morning at Tusculum Baptist Church, the team was showered with love by the church. There was much hugging as we sensed the presence of our God, Emmanuel, which means ‘God with us.’ As we visited with families in person and on the phone, the love of the families for their children and other athletes was evident and deep. This is a moment of deep grief. Jesus wept for his friend Lazarus, and we weep for Payton Cook.”
Speaking of Cook, Dr. Hummel said he has learned more about him since his passing – he loved his teammates, performed well in class and exhibited strong Christian faith. This helped provide additional context to Dr. Hummel’s own observations having met him when the lacrosse team came to the President’s House for dinner.
Dr. Hummel said it is important how people respond. He said everyone does not have to handle this alone – that people are stronger together. He said people are not created solely to be individuals but rather to be part of a community. As part of this tragedy, Tusculum has reinforced to students, faculty and staff that it has resources available to assist people in need.
The Rev. E.J. Swatsell, Tusculum’s director of spiritual life and special projects, dovetailed Dr. Hummel’s message by reminding people how unpredictable life is. He also referred to a message the president delivered to the Tusculum family in the university’s weekly newsletter.
“We should not journey it alone,” he said. “Dr. Hummel reminded us how a three-cord strand is not easily broken. I’ve witnessed that here at Tusculum. The lacrosse team and others are an example to us. Many people are watching you, but most especially, many people are praying for you. There are godly people you don’t even know who are lifting you to the throne right now. Know that you are loved.”
Swatsell also touched on the Scripture passages where Jesus called His disciples to get in the lifeboat with Him. He read Mark 4:34-39. It talks about Jesus sleeping on a boat while it filled with water from a storm. The disciples awakened Him and asked whether he did not care that all of them were about to drown. Jesus responded by rebuking the wind and told the waves to be silent. Things calmed.
“Do we get in the boat with Jesus?” Swatsell asked. “Do we do life with Him? Just before this story in this specific Scripture turned catastrophic, they called on Christ. At a time like the current, a time of overwhelming grief and agony, it can easily feel like we are sinking ourselves. Each of us in our own ways is probably experiencing that right now. Since Jesus can calm our storms, as illustrated in this specific Scripture, I would urge you to allow Him to do so. If you have a relationship with Jesus, he can comfort. Let him. Call on the Lord and specifically ask Him for comfort and help. There is no greater comfort than He can provide.”
The entire service is available on demand by visiting https://bit.ly/4povOy7. More information about the university is available at www.tusculum.edu.