Vassie Louise Cook

Devoted mother, loving wife, and loyal friend, Vassie Louise Cook was born to Elizabeth Perry Cook and James H. Cook, Sr. on September 29, 1948, in Tuskegee, Alabama. She grew up in a Christian home with her younger brother, James Henry, Jr. She graduated from Tuskegee Institute High School in May 1966 and was presented to society at the El Quien Sabe Club's debutante ball in August of that year.

Vassie followed her adventurous spirit by enrolling at Kentucky State University in Frankfort, Kentucky. Having never been that far from home, she was forever grateful to the wonderful people who helped her along the way.

Vassie pledged to the Delta Sigma Theta sorority and served as an officer. While in school, she helped initiate more chapters at surrounding universities. She remained active as a Delta throughout her life. After graduating with a degree in Sociology in 1970, she remained supportive of Kentucky State University by participating in alumni activities and helping to develop scholarships.

She moved to Texas in 1970 to pursue a Master's degree in Urban Planning at Trinity University in San Antonio. After receiving her degree in 1972, Lockheed Aerospace at NASA's Johnson Space Center hired her in the Landsat Imagery Department, which focused on helping farmers and governments predict crop yields. She was responsible for cataloging all the photos taken from NASA Space flights and satellites of farms and ranches.

In 1976, she met her husband while attending a local softball game at Johnson Space Center. The romance bloomed, and she married the love of her life on July 16, 1977. Their marriage produced a daughter and a son. After each birth, she went back to her job at Lockheed. In 1983, she decided to spend more time at home raising her children.

Vassie volunteered at her children's schools and with the local Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts. She used her creative skills and knowledge of arts and crafts while scouting with her children. She became a Girl Scout Troop Leader to help the girls develop the skills they needed as they grew into adulthood. She also managed to take cake-decorating classes despite her full schedule.

Vassie returned to the workforce in 1990, accepting a job with the City of Houston. She worked in the Houston Housing and Community Development Department. Her responsibilities included serving as the department's Facilities Manager. After twenty years with the City of Houston, she retired in 2010.

Retirement allowed her to dive more deeply into her creative hobbies, which she had always pursued on a limited basis. She took painting classes and participated in her church bible study group.

She began attending more craft shows with her friend while shopping for craft supplies to make holiday wreaths and decorations. As she was quick to admit, Vassie enjoyed shopping in general, especially during sales.

Retirement allowed her to do more to support her university and sorority activities. Vassie's retirement also enabled her to travel more, as she loved visiting different countries around the world.

She was preceded in death by her mother, Elizabeth Perry Cook; her father, James Henry Cook Sr.; her father-in-law, Ned J. Robinson, Jr., and her best friend of many years, Paula Phillips. She leaves behind her husband of 48 years, Ned J. Robinson III, her daughter, Megan E. Robinson, her son, Ned J. Robinson IV, her brother, James H. Cook Jr., her mother-in-law, Inez Robinson, and a host of brothers and sisters-in laws, nieces and nephews, sorority sisters and friends from all around the country whom she loved and appreciated.

Acknowledgements:

The Family wishes to thank the doctors, nurses, and staff of the Deke Slayton Cancer Center, Village Home Health and Hospice, and the staff of the Gracious Hearts and Home Care for their support and care.