Marilyn Harwood Cook

Marilyn Harwood Cook, 84, passed away peacefully on April 14, 2025, at Transitions Hospice House in Raleigh, NC, with her loving family by her side.
Born December 22, 1940, in Memphis, TN, Marilyn was the daughter of Beulah Bailey Harwood and Guy Mack Harwood. She is survived by her children, Cherie Dentiste (Chris) of Wilmington, NC, and Louis Cook (Tsengel) of Wake Forest, NC; her grandchildren, Vasilios Dentiste (Taylor) of Watertown, MA; Louis Alexander Dentiste of Nantucket, MA; Louis III, Isaac, and Dagina Marilyn Cook of Wake Forest, NC; her sister, Bailey Cooper of Milan, TN and two nieces and two nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother Guy Mack Harwood, Jr., and several beloved nieces and nephews.
Marilyn graduated as co-salutatorian of Milan High School where she was Miss Milan High and the head cheerleader. She went on to earn a bachelor's degree in psychology and mathematics from Vanderbilt University and later a master's degree in education from Winthrop University. She began her career teaching high school math in Florida, then moved to Myrtle Beach then Hartsville, SC where her children were born and raised.
A dedicated educator, Marilyn taught math for 37 years at Hartsville Junior and Senior High Schools, St John's High School, and Coker College. She challenged and entertained her students. Sponsoring the cheerleading squads for many years and enthusiastically supporting the football and basketball teams was a passion. She ran the Miss Red Fox program for years, raising money for the athletic program.
Marilyn was a long-time member of Kelleytown Baptist Church where she found many supportive friends.
A lifelong basketball fan, Marilyn was an avid supporter of Hartsville High School teams and cherished two unforgettable trips-one to Portland, Oregon, to watch Michael Jordan play with the 1992 Olympic Dream Team, and another to Detroit for the 2009 NCAA Final Four. Her favorite players were Michael Jordan, Allen Iverson and Steph Curry.
Marilyn had a positive outlook and fun sense of humor. Her laughter was infectious. Even as Alzheimer's disease advanced, her smile and laugh were thankfully there. She loved her flowers and birds but not the squirrels and took beautiful photographs. Card-playing was serious business as her bridge club buddies can attest.
Marilyn's love of travel began in childhood with trips to Hawaii and California and continued throughout her life. She traveled to Italy and France with her children and grandchildren and held a special place in her heart for Nantucket, where she attended the film and daffodil festivals and made lasting memories with her family.
More than anything, Marilyn was a devoted and selfless mother and grandmother. She was an early example of a strong, independent woman, working hard to support herself and her children after divorce. She was a force with a tender heart. After retiring, she moved to California to help care for her first two grandchildren, working long days with babies and dogs. She spent many summer days chauffeuring to various camps as they grew up. She later welcomed her son's family into her home in Hartsville and became a steady presence in her grandchildrens' lives. She loved and accepted her son-in-law and daughter-in-law as her own and was able to live with both families throughout her life.
She was also a caring and loyal friend-always ready to lend a hand, give a ride, or offer a listening ear. She had a way of always seeing the best in others and offering acceptance without judgment.
The family extends heartfelt thanks to the staff at Cadence Memory Care and Rosie's Care Home in Wake Forest, and Transitions Lifecare Hospice House for the compassionate care they provided Marilyn during her illness.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, a cause Marilyn supported for many years.
A visitation will be held at 9:00 AM, followed by burial at 10:00 AM on Saturday, April 19, 2025, at Bodkin Funeral Home and Oakwood Cemetery in Milan, TN. Marilyn will be laid to rest beside her beloved parents, just as she wished.