Mary Kathleen Cook

Mary Kathleen Cook, formerly of Dyersburg, Tennessee, passed away on April 16, 2024 at the age of 92. Kathy, as she was known by her friends and family, and "Leen" to her grandchildren, was born December 3, 1931, in Scotts Hill, Tennessee, to the late Mr. and Mrs. Hubert Richard Swift. She graduated from Scotts Hill High School and went on to receive her associates degree from Freed Hardeman College and continued her education at Memphis State College, eventually becoming a teacher in the Shelby County School system.
On October 10, 1958, she married her husband of 63 years, Dr. Bobby Owen Cook. Upon his completion of dental school and following three years in the military, the couple moved to Dyersburg, Tennessee in 1963 where he remained in family dental practice for 56 years, all the while Kathy was the epitome of a hardworking homemaker, tirelessly caring for him and their four children.
Kathy enjoyed reading, a day spent antique shopping with her dear friend, countless weekends at Sportsman's Trout Dock on the White River fishing with family and friends, cheering on the UT Vols and Memphis State Tigers, and any time spent with her children, grandchildren, and great grandchild. After her children were grown, Kathy treasured the opportunities she had to travel internationally with her husband to many places including Russia, China, Europe, Iceland, the United Arab Emirates, and even the Amazon Rainforest.
Above all else, Kathy was a devout Christian and active member of her church, the Phillips Street Church of Christ in Dyersburg, for more than fifty years. She was a genuine and faithful servant and was always generous with her time, volunteering to help those in need, including working in the food program for over fifty years. Kathy routinely prepared meals for elderly shut-ins and delivered them herself well into her 80's. After the passing of her husband in 2021, Kathy moved to Heber Springs, Arkansas to be closer to family and remain in a smaller community. Once in Heber Springs, Kathy placed her membership with the Heber Springs Church of Christ. She commented frequently on how thankful she was for her new church family because of their warm welcome and all the care and concern they showed her.
Kathy was preceded in death by her parents and her husband, Dr. Bobby Owen Cook. She is survived by her four devoted and loving children, Mark Cook of Lawrenceville, Georgia, Jill Krantz (Kevin) of Nolensville, Tennessee, Dr. Timothy Cook (Sarah) of Little Rock, Arkansas, and Beth Lawrence (Steve) of Heber Springs, Arkansas. She is also survived by seven grandchildren who loved her dearly, Sara Beth Coleman, Hannah Hall, Mary Lawrence Schroeder, Sophia Lawrence, Jackson Cook, Harrison Cook, Rose Cook, and one great grandson, Asher Coleman. Kathy's sisters, Joan and Carolyn Swift, both from Henderson, Tennessee, and her sister-in-law, Tammye Freeman of Rockport, Texas, all shared a close and loving relationship throughout her life, also survive her.
Visitation will be from 12:00 PM until 2:00 PM on Saturday, April 27, 2024 in the chapel of the Dyersburg Funeral Home. Services will be at 2:00 PM with Mr. Andy Brewer officiating. Internment will be at the Fairview Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Jackson Cook, Harrison Cook, Christopher Coleman, Mason Schroeder, Jesse Lawrence, and Cooper Lawrence. Honorary pallbearers are Franklin Robertson, Edgar Shults, Glen Phillips, Joe Rogers, Brodie Cupples, Patrick Cupples, Rob Enoch, Bruce Babbit, Doug Medlin, Brian Boyd and Joe King.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that any memorials be sent to the Phillips Street Church of Christ, 912 Phillips Street, Dyersburg, TN 38024 or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105, or to stjude.org/memorial
To send a flower arrangement or to plant trees in memory of
Mary Kathleen Cook, please click here to visit our Sympathy Store.