LOUISE FARLEY COOK, 93, of South Charleston WV passed into heaven peacefully on Monday May 13, 2019 at Thomas Memorial Hospital. This stay in the hospital would turn out to be her one and only during her 93 long years on this earth. She was known by all for her independence, faith in God and unwavering strength throughout her life.
Lou was the first of 4 children born to Donald Jackson Farley and Edith Massie on October 28, 1925 in Spanishburg WV, in Mercer County. Born into a family of farmers along the Bluestone River, she grew up content during the Great Depression. Shortly after graduating from Concord College with a teaching degree, she began her career in a one-room school house in Fayette County. The majority of her 30-year career was spent teaching hundreds of 1st graders to read at Weimer Elementary in Saint Albans WV. Retiring at the age of 55, Lou enjoyed 38 long years of retirement.
During the last weeks of her life, Lou had no fear whatsoever of death. This was due to her unshakeable belief in her Savior Jesus Christ, and her longing to be reunited with her late husband Edward P. Cook. Lou said goodbye to Ed 13 years ago on April 2, 2006 after 61 years of marriage. She spent her final few years with Ed faithfully taking care of his every need, joyfully taking this burden herself with very little assistance from friends or family. Ed and Lou raised 3 beautiful children together, Donnie, Debby and Kathy. Together they raised these children to be believers in Jesus Christ and helped to instill the same beliefs in their 3 grandsons Andy, Craig, and Scotty.
Lou was a faithful member of Spring Hill Baptist Church for over 68 years, where she trusted Jesus Christ as her savior in the summer of 1951. Always a very active member, she began singing in the choir in 1951, hosted an annual “Day in the Country” at the farm she grew up on along the Bluestone River, and served as the Sunday School Teacher for the Mary-Martha class for over 50 years until her passing.
Lou has also reunited in heaven with her son Donnie Cook, who battled muscular dystrophy as an infant and throughout his life. Ed and Lou cared joyfully and faithfully for Donnie for many years until he married the love of his life, Myrna, who, along with her family, took care of him with equal joy and faith until he joined his daddy in heaven 4 years ago.
Lou is survived by her 2 loving daughters, Debra Bowden, and Kathy Plantz and their husbands Carroll Bowden and Ron Plantz. She proudly admired Debra for her professional accomplishments in banking, ambitious nature and work ethic. She admired Kathy, with equal pride, for Kathy’s free spirit, and carefree attitude towards life, never giving thought to her own challenges with muscular dystrophy.
Lou is also survived by her 3 grandsons, Andy Stone, Craig Bowden and Scotty Bowden as well as Andy’s fiancé, Amy Harlow, and Craig’s wife, Beth Bowden. God blessed her with her first great grandson, Trenton Bowden, age 6, who she regularly babysat, and a second great grandson, Dane Bowden, who she warmly welcomed into this world, 8 months ago.
Finally, she is survived by many, many more friends and family including beloved sisters Margaret Smith, and Marianne Candler, son-in-law Larry Stone, daughter-in-law Myrna Cook, sister-in-law Joyce Cook and countless other brothers and sisters at Spring Hill Baptist Church including Ann and Dave Greear, Kay Hundley, Dicky Hanson, Dale and Bonnie Powell, and Carl Martin.
Lou will be remembered most for the outstanding example she set for everyone. She glorified God day after day by being thankful for God’s blessings, but more importantly for her contentment with and acceptance of the challenges she was meant to face.
Her life will be remembered and celebrated with a visitation on Saturday May 18th from 6pm to 8 pm. The funeral service will begin at 2 pm on Sunday May 19th. Both will be held at Spring Hill Baptist Church located at 4707 Ohio Street, South Charleston WV 25309.
In lieu of flowers, the family encourages gifts to the Spring Hill Baptist Church, whose fellowship supported her strength for 68 years.
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