Mary Cook

SEARCY - Mary Louella (Wilson) Cook, 86, of Searcy, passed away on Oct. 29, 2025, at Baptist Health Medical Center in Little Rock. In a farmhouse built by her father, she was born on Dec. 6, 1938, just outside of Hickory Ridge, Ark., to the late John A. Wilson and Iola (Finley) Wilson.

Louella grew up as a farm girl in Cross County, Ark., where she learned the value of hard work and developed a love for sports, becoming a fierce high school basketball player. She graduated from Hickory Ridge High School in 1956, followed by enrollment at Harding College. Louella remained connected to the Harding community throughout her life.

As a young mother, she was devoted to her family and known as the "station wagon driver" to Friday night high school football games. She helped establish the Searcy Girls' Softball League, serving as a volunteer leader for over twenty-five years. Louella worked tirelessly raising her children, often employed at two or three jobs, while volunteering at the local school and at church. She was also a well-known substitute teacher in numerous local schools, demonstrating her adaptability and becoming beloved by the many students she taught. Louella earned her real estate license, achieving notable success through her reputation for integrity and grace. She later went on to work in administration at Harding University, where she regularly greeted students and faculty with a smile and friendly conversation. In 2019, she retired from Harding at the age of 80.

Louella was a member of Downtown Church of Christ for 64 years before joining the Searcy Church of Christ, where she attended for the last two years of her life. In her last year, she made a second home at Harding Place, where she greatly enjoyed friendships and laughter, and the competition of "bean bag baseball."

She delighted in time spent with her grandchildren, nieces, and nephews. She found satisfaction in her flower gardens, but experienced fulfillment in serving others. She will be remembered as kind, strong, selfless, and faithful. She was fiercely independent while loyally reliant upon God.

She is survived by her children, Paula Cowden (Doug) and Ronald Cook (Ann); grandchildren, Tucker Cowden (Abbie), Savannah King (Kalyn), John McKenzie Cook, and Caleb Cook; great granddaughter, Collins King; two brothers, Don Wilson and Bobby Joe Wilson (Carolyn); as well as a host of nieces, nephews, and extended family members who will dearly miss her presence.

In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her sister, Loretta Volk, and brother, Johnny H. Wilson.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Harding Place Christian Ministries, 801 S. Benton, Searcy, Ark., 72143, in remembrance of Louella Cook.

Visitation will be held today, from 2:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., at Powell Funeral Home in Searcy. Funeral services will be conducted on Monday, Nov. 3, at 11 a.m., at Powell Funeral Home. Interment will follow at White County Memorial Gardens.

Arrangements are entrusted to Powell Funeral Home of Searcy. www. powellfuneralhome.net