(All from Pattie Smith)
Information from Malissa Potts (Smith) (Cooke) Death Certificate, shows parents were Joseph Potts and Rachel Berlue, Belleville, PA

Obituary from the Mansfield News Newspaper, Mansfield, Ohio, November 28, 1932
MRS. MELISSA COOK - Galion Woman Succumbs After Short Illness
GALION, Nov. 28 --- The death of Mrs. Melissa Cooke, 83, occurred Sunday afternoon at the home of her son, Joseph A. Smith of 326 North Columbus Street. She suffered a stroke of paralysis Nov. 15, which later caused her death.
The body was taken to the Snyder Funeral Home and will be returned to the home of the son today. Funeral arrangements have not been completed, but burial will be made in the cemetery at Marion.
Mrs. Cooke was born in Mifflin County, PA., Feb. 22, 1850, the daughter of Joseph and Rachel Potts. She was married first to Augustus Smith who preceded her in death. To this union, the one son, who survives, was born. The second marriage was to Jacob Cooke who died about 25 years ago.
Mrs. Cooke has made her home in this city for the past seven years.
Surviving are her son; one grandson, Joseph H. Smith of Harding Way East; and six great grandchildren.

*********************
Malissa is shown on census as Elizabeth on the 1880 Census, shown as Lizzie Cooke on the 1900 Census and as Elizabeth on the marriage certificate of her son (my great- grandfather) Joseph A. Smith to Cora Lee Hamman. It appears Malissa was known as 'Lizzie" and was thought to be short for Elizabeth, instead of Malissa.

*********************
Notes from Lizzie (Potts, Smith) Cooke application for pension file after the death of her 2nd husband Jacob Cooke.
This note is from a 'General Affidavit' form, State of Pennsylvania, Union County.
National Archives Record No. 1059613, Can No. 3356, Bundle No. 38

"In the matter of pension for Lizzie Cooke, widow of late Jacob Cooke, Co. E, McKeag's Infantry Battlion, PA....Civil War

Lizzie Cooke, aged 75 years, a resident of Lewisburg, County of Union, State of Pennsylvania whose Post-office address is 321 South Sixth Street, Lewisburg, Union County, Pa. well known to be reputable and entitled to credit, and who, being duly sworn, declared in relation to a fore said case as follows:

"My maiden name was Melissa Potts, but from childhood up I was called Lizzie Potts, and I have signed my name "Lizzie" ever since. I always wrote it "Lizzie" ever since. I always wrote it "Lizzie" and thought it was the right thing to do. I was only married once before I married the soldier, Jacob Cooke. I was married to Augustus Smith, and was divorced from him September 12th, 1876."

Note: [I now have a copy of the Divorce record between Augustus Smith and Melissa, dated September 12, 1876, in the Court of Common Pleas of Clinton, County, Pennsylvania, Document No. 304. Melissa filed for this divorce.]

"I was not married previous to that. after I was divorced from Augustus Smith, I was not married until I married Jacob Cooke, the soldier, and we lived together as husband and wife from the time of our marriage up to the date of his death, October 15, 1906. We had no children. Mr. Jacob Cooke had no children by his former wife. I have not married since the death of Jacob Cooke, and am still his widow. Mr. Cooke's first wife, Harriet Rothrock, died at Beech Creek, Pa. After I was divorced from Augustus Smith, I took my maiden name, and this is the name under which I was married to Jacob Cooke. My husband spelled his name "Cooke" and I wish my name to appear in the certificate, in case one should issue, as "Lizzie Cooke." Harriet Rothrock, Mr. Cook's first wife, died before my marriage to him, and her body is buried at Beech Creek."

She further declares that she has interest in said case and is concerned in its prosecution

Signature: Lizzie Cooke
Signature: Mary W. Bennett, Notary Public

• Married: 26 JAN 1879 in Lock Haven, Clinton, PA ²

1. Cora Lee COOKE b: MAR 1870
2. Rae Cooke COOKE b: APR 1881

• Divorced: Y
• Married: 12 SEP 1876 in , Clinton, PA ²

1. Joseph A SMITH b: MAR 1870

1. Title: Obituary
   Abbrev: Obituary
   Note: For named individual
2. Title: Smith, Patti, emails (Cooke)
   Abbrev: Smith, Patti, emails (Cooke)
   Text:
   Note: Jacob Cooke - Melissa Potts Smith
   Date: 7 SEP 0004