Laura Cook

Mary Laura Woodward Cook, 91, of Lake Jackson, was born on June 19, 1924, in Freeport, Texas. She went peacefully home to Jesus, and reunited with her beloved husband J. B. in the early morning hours of January 1, 2016.

Laura’s parents were Anson Hudson Woodward and Beulah Mae Phillips Woodward. She was the sixth child born of seven children. She married her sweetheart, J. B. Cook, on March 11, 1942. They were very happily married for seventy-three years before J. B.’s death in 2015.

A devoted wife and mother, Laura loved her family dearly. She especially adored children. She lovingly raised her son and daughter, and helped raise and care for her nieces, nephews, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Laura was affectionately called“Ne Ne”; a name given to her by her great-granddaughter, Tuesday. She also answered to “Mom”, “Aunt Laura”, and “Granny”; and was much loved by all who knew her. Laura taught children’s Sunday School classes for many years, loved the Lord, and read the Bible daily.

Laura was an excellent cook, and enjoyed cooking for family and friends. She had many delicious recipes that she tweaked and perfected over the years. She delighted in preparing favorite dishes for birthdays and holidays. Some of her specialties were: Ne Ne’s Christmas Fudge, Coconut Meringue Pie, and Southern Style Chicken and Dumplings. In her later years, she decided that it was time to retire from cooking, so Ne Ne and Pop Pop became regular customers at Luby’s Cafeteria in Lake Jackson. During that time, the good folks at Luby’s welcomed them warmly nearly every day for lunch.

Some of Laura’s other hobbies were fishing, boating, bird watching, and gardening. There were great fishing adventures; many of them shared with her grandsons Paul and Rick. She may have been one of the only grandmothers you’ll ever meet who could bait a hook as well as the guys. After a full day of fishing they would return to the cabin on the bay for a feast of fried fish, and a lively game of dominoes. At home, Laura kept beautiful flower gardens in her yard, and over the years cultivated more than twenty varieties of the perennial Daylily.

Mrs. Cook is survived by her children, Ron (Barbara) Cook, and Lyn (Graham) Hendrix; grandchildren, Teri (Bob) Williams, Paul (Deborah) Schuster, Rick (Julie) Schuster, Leigh (Amy) Cook; great-grandchildren Tuesday (Chaz Miller) Williams, Tyler (Laura Kesseler) Williams, Sharena (Drew) Beverage, Holly (Elie Guilliot) Cook, Taylor Cook, Hunter Schuster, Chadd Schuster, Mitchell (Marianne Beristain) Schuster, Ian Schuster, and Eric Schuster; great-great-grandchildren Aubrey, Brena, Landen, Lucas, Harlow, and Levi; niece, Sue Woodward Scott; nephews, Jason (Amy) Woodward, Gary Woodward, and Wayne (Linda) Woodward; and many other relatives and friends.

Mrs. Cook was preceded in death by her husband, J. B. Cook; grandson, Ronald Cook, Jr., nephew, Tom Woodward; her parents; sisters, Ida Mae Woodward Hall, and Ruby Woodward West; and brothers, Foy Woodward, Byrl Woodward, Ernest Woodward, and Ed Woodward. The family would like to express their gratitude for the abundance of love and compassionate care provided to our sweet Ne Ne during her battle with Alzheimer’s Disease. These very special angels include Lacey, Laura, Kalene, Alma, Kirby, Malissa, and Diane; the IPH Team including Michelle Meador, Carol Small and Shelly Millar; Sara Richards, Amy Stewart and the Grether Senior Living family at Country Village; and the precious residents and staff of Windsor Court and Crescent Manor Memory Care houses. We love and appreciate you all.

A Funeral Service will be held at Restwood Funeral Home on Saturday January 9, 2016 with Visitation starting at 12n, and funeral services beginning at 1pm.

Donations may be made to First Baptist Church of Lake Jackson, 401 Yaupon Street, Lake Jackson, TX 77566, or the Alzheimer’s Association, 225 N Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60601, www.al.org, or the charity of your choice. Arrangements made by Restwood Funeral Home.