Mary Vernelle Cook

Mary Vernelle (Kirby) Cook passed away on July 12, 2019 in McKinney, Texas. She was born on October 7, 1925 in Texla, Texas. She grew up in New Willard, Texas and graduated from Livingston High School. She attended college at Sam Houston State College.

Mary married Harry Cook October 9, 1944 and they had a close and loving life together for 69 years. She raised six children, sometimes on her own as Harry served in World War ll and the Korean War.

Mary was an intelligent, dedicated entrepreneur, establishing her own business, Bookkeeping by Cook, where she prepared taxes for businesses and clients until she was 80. She will be remembered for her devotion to her husband, Harry and her family. She was a creative talented seamstress and did knitting and crocheting. In later years she began to express herself by sharing her adult coloring pages with family. She enjoyed antiquing, collecting Yellow Rose Tea cups, singing in church choir, dancing with Harry, and was often heard whistling around the house. She will forever be missed.

Mary is survived by her three daughters; Sandra Bell and her husband Steve of McKinney, Texas, Mary Cook of McKinney, Texas, and Nancy Frank and her husband John of Humble, Texas, and three sons; Vincent Cook and his wife Annette of Arlington, Texas, Joe Cook and his wife Maureen of Grand Prairie, Texas, and Steve Cook and his wife Frances of Houston, Texas.

Mary also leaves behind eleven grandchildren; Theresa Lane, Stephanie Bell, JJ Frank, Nathan Frank, Trevor Cook, Travis Cook, Christopher Cook, Courtney Chavera, Corey Cook, Steve Cook, and Alyssa Cook, as well as fifteen great grandchildren; Kelsey Jessee with her two great-great grandchildren, Graham and Pierson, Brennan Lane, Mason Lane, Brooks Bell, Andrew Frank, Harrison Frank, Jonathan Frank, Nate Lee and Nora Jane Frank, Ali Chavera, Alayna Chavera, AJ Chavera, Dylan Cook, Kyleigh Cook, and Cayden Cook.

A Funeral Mass will take place at St. Martha’s Catholic Church, 4301 Woodridge Parkway, Porter, Texas on Tuesday, July 23, 2019 beginning at 10:00 am. Mrs. Cook will be laid to rest at Houston National Cemetery at 2:00 pm following the Funeral Mass.

For those who prefer to make a donation the family has asked they be made to the Alzheimer’s Association. Donations can be made online at http://act.alz.org/site/TR/Events/Tributes-AlzheimersChampions?pxfid=564407&fr_id=1060&pg=fund or to the address below

Alzheimer’s Association

225 N. Michigan Avenue

17 ^th Floor

Chicago, Il 60601