Anna Ruth Cook

Anna Ruth Cook (Ann Martin), passed away peacefully on December 23, 2025. Anna, one of the seven children of Edward "Edd" and Mary Lou Cook, was born and raised in Grundy, Virginia. Anna and her siblings grew up alongside their six cousins, who lived right next door. Edd, a coal miner, passed away when Anna was five. While the family knew poverty and hardship growing up, the home and holler the larger family shared in Buchanan County were well known for their warmth, hospitality, and love.

After graduating from Garden High School in 1963, Anna was given a train ticket to Washington, DC, where she moved and found work in the accounting department of The Washington Post. Anna married and lived for several years in Germany with her then husband while he served in the U.S. Army. Anna ultimately concluded her time at The Post as a department supervisor and was honored for more than 30 years of service upon her retirement in 2004.

Anna's two children, Elizabeth Mary "Liz" Martin and Nathan Edward "Nate" Martin were her greatest joy and legacy, having instilled in them the importance and joy of extended family, traveling with them back to Buchanan many times for holidays and family celebrations with the extended family. Anna raised Liz and Nate in Falls Church City, Virginia. During their school days in Fall Church City Public Schools, Anna was an avid volunteer, serving as room parent, Liz's Brownie troop leader and supporter of Liz's volleyball and Nate's basketball teams, traveling to away games and cheering them on at home. And although she never quite understood the game, she enthusiastically supported Nate's tennis teams, driving team members to several state and regional tournaments. Anna was a longtime active member of Foundry United Methodist Church in Washington, DC, where she participated in a Neighborhood Bible study for many years. Her steadfast faith and the relationships she developed at Foundry endured throughout her lifetime.

After a few years of retirement living near her brother Jack and his wife, Betty, in Florida, Anna returned to Washington, DC, to begin what became the most gratifying period of her life: the role of full-time Gramma. Beginning with her first grandchild, Alena Mary Martin, this special time included a year spent in Kyiv, Ukraine, with side adventures to Germany and Czechia. Anna then returned to the U.S. to help care for her first grandson, Owen Seth Blanton, in Seaford, Virginia.

When Anna next moved back to DC, she became a big baseball fan: particularly of the Washington Nationals. As she had for Liz and Nate, Anna once again became a vocal and prominent supporter of her grandchildren's activities-as a Little League fan of Alena's and grandson Holden Thomas Martin's teams–and later of Owen's soccer and basketball teams. Anna's season as a beloved Gramma left an enduring impact on many children in her immediate family and beyond.

Anna's final years were spent living with her family back in Seaford and finally at a memory care facility in Williamsburg, Virginia. Anna will be dearly missed but lovingly remembered by her family and friends for her kindness, humor, courage and sacrifice. She is survived by her sister, Nell Hurt; her daughter's family Elizabeth, Seth and Owen Blanton; her cherished family Aryn, Jeff, Henry and Roger Blanton; her son's family, Nate, Erica, Alena and Holden Martin; as well as innumerable loving nieces, nephews and cousins.

A memorial service will be held at 1pm at Zion United Methodist Church in Seaford, Virginia on Saturday, January 17, 2026. Visitation will begin at noon, with a reception to follow.