Lula Mae Cook

She was preceded in death by her parents, Clark and Ruby Adams, by her siblings, Bernice Price, Paul Adams, James Adams, Laverna Weeks, and Faye Roseberry and by grandchildren Robert Marion and Margaret Marion.

Lula Mae is survived by her siblings, Don Adams (and wife Terri), Drennon Adams (and wife Gloria), and Ruby Dillard (and husband Ivan); her children and their families: Sue Marion (and husband Charles and granddaughters Laura Marion-Faul, Rebecca Wolfe and Elizabeth Raethel), Preston Plaxco (and wife Denise and grandson Matthew Plaxco and granddaughter Lauren Plaxco), Dale Plaxco (and wife Becky and grandson Kellen Plaxco and granddaughter Meghan Jones), as well as twelve great grand children

Lula Mae was a child of the depression having been born just a few days before the 1929 stock market crash. Growing up in a large family in hard times no doubt contributed to the strong willed personality that was Lula Mae. She loved her brothers and sisters and after they were all grown liked visiting with them.

Lula Mae worked hard all of her life. At various times, she was employed at Dixie Cup, Jenkins Music, Riverside Furniture and Esquire Jewelers. At one point she owned and operated a gas station. While she never made a large salary, she managed to provide the basic needs of her children as they grew up. Her daughter likes to tell about the family picking fruits and vegetables “on the halves” and then canning their share to provide food during winters.

In mid-life, Lula Mae was in a position to work fewer hours and to enjoy some hobbies. Just like her own mother, Lula Mae loved to fish whenever she could. She especially enjoyed taking her RV to the nearby lakes so that she could stay for several days. At the lake, she would fish during the day and play cards at night. One of her most prized memories was a fishing trip to Alaska with her brother during which she caught a prize sized salmon. The fish was mounted and hung over her fireplace for many years.

At one time in her life, she took up golf and became a strong competitor in the women’s golf program at Fianna Hills Country Club.

Although she was born and died in Alma and lived all of her life in the Alma/Fort Smith area, Lula Mae did have the opportunity to travel. She enjoyed trips to Italy, to Australia, and ocean cruises.

Lula Mae was proud of her children – proud that they each graduated from college and were raising families.

Lula Mae began attending Haven Heights Baptist Church about ten year ago and found a warm, accepting Bible Study class. This Bible study helped her to deepen her faith in Jesus Christ as Savior. Until her dementia began limiting her, she was a faithful member of the class.

In her later years, dementia began to limit Lula Mae and her health began to decline. After she could no longer live by herself, she lived at Butterfield Place in Fort Smith and finally at Alma Healthcare and Rehabilitation where she died. The family expresses its appreciation to the staff at Alma Healthcare for their compassionate care when she was not able to care for herself.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a contribution be made to Gideons International or to the charity of your choice in memory of Lula Mae.