Letty Cook

Ruth Cook, 97, of Garden City, passed away Wednesday, July 8, 2009 in Midland. Family visitation will be from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM, Friday, July 10, 2009 at the funeral home. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 AM, Saturday, July 11, 2009 at Nalley-Pickle & Welch Rosewood Chapel in Big Spring with Rev. Jan Reed, officiating. Interment will follow at Garden City Cemetery. There will also be a luncheon in Garden City following the service. Ruth was born August 11, 1911 to Cora Alice and James H.T. Johnson in Loraine. Ruth was an artist, perpetual student, line dancer (until the age of 93), lover of life and a teacher. She began teaching in 1929 at the age of 18. She taught in various small schools and moved to Garden City in 1937. She married rancher, Jack Cook, in 1943 with whom she built a home and family including daughter, Margaret Jo Saunders and son, Billy J. Cook. Ruth taught for 38 years and the auditorium in Garden City was dedicated in her name upon her retirement. At this point in time, her oldest former pupil would be 88 and her youngest 39. Her teaching and gracious manner of living touched the lives of many generations of Garden City residents, family and friends.She was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Garden City. She was a member of the Texas Retired Teacher's Association and Senior Citizen's Center of Garden City.Survivors include son, Dr. Billy J. Cook of Midland; daughter, Margaret Jo Saunders and Bud Saunders of Midland; granddaughters, Jacque Saunders Stone and Becca Saunders of Midland; honorary family member, Jacob Carrington of Midland; nieces, Mary Pat Elledge and Dwayne of Murphy, Margie Braswell and Jim of Cartwright, OK, Judy Duncan and Wesley of Whitesboro, Reta Bell and Steve of Garden City, Paula Talbot and Guy of Big Spring, Marsha Zintgraff of San Antonio, Brenda Davis and Dick of Athens, Darla Bennett of Tyler, and Barbara Coates and Danny of Henderson; nephews, Mike Porter and Cheryl of Tucson, AZ, James Cook and Charlotte of Houston, Jack Mowrey of Las Vegas, NV, and Gary Mowrey and Jane of San Antonio; as well as treasured grand and great nieces and nephews and cherished neighbor children.She was preceded in death by her husband, Jack Cook; her parents, James and Cora Johnson; her brother, Raymond Johnson, and her sister, Nell Porter.Pallbearers will be Bud Saunders, Larry Bradford, Rusty Hollingsworth, Donny Cypert, Steve Bell and Jacob Carrington. Honorary pallbearers will be Dick Davis, James Cook, Gary Mowrey, Jack Mowrey, Mike Porter, Danny Coates, Guy Talbot, Glen Joe Riley, Dwayne Elledge, Jim Braswell and Wesley Duncan.Perhaps you sang a lovely song,Or sat quietly in a chair.Perhaps you sent beautiful flowers,If so we saw them there.Perhaps you sent or spoke kind wordsAs any friend would say.Perhaps you prepared some tasty food,Or maybe furnished a car.Perhaps you rendered a service unseen,Near at hand or from afar.Whatever you did to console the heartWe thank you so much,Whatever the part. The Family of Ruth CookIn lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Glasscock County Library, Glasscock Co. ISD, Box 9, Garden City, TX 79739 or the Senior Citizen's Center, Box 324, Garden City, TX 79739.Arrangements are under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory of Big Spring. Online condolences can be made at: www.npwelch.com,