Dorothy H Cook

Vestavia Hills lost one of its finest citizens on January 3, 2015, when Dorothy (Dot) Louise Cook-Grove joined her family, friends, and two great loves, Arvie Rufus Cook and Joseph (Jack) Augustus Grove, in heaven. Dot was born September 1, 1927, to Berry Austin (Mr. Tobe) and Mary Louise McDonald Henderson, and was older sister to Ray, Mary Faye (“Toby”), and Sara. She graduated from Eutaw High School in 1946, married Arvie R. Cook of Akron, Alabama, in 1947, to whom she was married for 42 wonderful years. After earning his B.S. in Accounting from the University of Alabama in 1949, Dot and Arvie moved to Mobile, where he worked for the Internal Revenue Service and she worked in the office of Arkell and Smith, a paper bag manufacturer. During the years she worked there, Dot formed lifelong friendships with the other “girls” in the office. For decades, as long as they were able, the “bag-ladies” gathered at least annually for long-weekend reunions. She worked there until 1956 when their first child, Terry, arrived, followed by his sister, Valerie in 1959. In 1960, Dot and Arvie moved the family to the Edgewood neighborhood in Homewood where Dot was an integral part of the neighborhood, school, and Dawson Memorial Baptist Church. The Internal Revenue Service called Arvie back to Mobile from 1967 to 1971, when he returned to Birmingham area for the remainder of his career. Vestavia Hills was home to Dot and her family throughout the rest of her life. Again, Dot embraced her community, her children’s schools, and Vestavia Hills Baptist Church. After Arvie’s death in 1989, Dot began volunteering in the office of the Vestavia Hills Chamber of Commerce where her civic pride and boundless energy resulted in her being named Citizen of the Year in 1995, a well-deserved honor for one of Vestavia Hills’ proudest residents. Dot was involved in many groups and clubs, including Opulence Accumulators Investment Club, the Vestavia Hills Historical Society, Friends of the Library, The Club of Birmingham, bridge groups, supper clubs, The Sophisticates Dance Club, and many other groups that involved being with old friends and making new ones. One new friend whom Dot met through her Chamber of Commerce activities was Joseph (Jack) Grove. They married in 1997 and enjoyed 13 happy and busy years together till his death in 2010. Soon after they married, Jack retired and they enjoyed many travels together, driving cross-country, taking the back-roads, meeting new friends and visiting old ones. “Aunt Dot”, as she was known around Vestavia, enjoyed “piddling” in the garden, traveling, shopping, being with friends and family, and Alabama football. She lived in Town Village in Vestavia Hills since October, 2013. Dot is predeceased by her mother, father and brother, Ray (Eddie Mae) Henderson of Eutaw, Alabama. She is survived by her son, Terry (Dana) Cook; daughter, Valerie (Robert) Riley, both of Vestavia Hills; grandsons Allen (Katherine) Riley of Hoover and Jake Riley of Vestavia Hills; granddaughters Emma Cook of Nashville, TN, and Molly Cook of Tuscaloosa; sisters Toby (Whitie) Martin of Warner Robins, GA, and Sara (Marvin) Lazarus of Vestavia Hills; and many special nieces, nephews, cousins, and a host of friends she dearly loved. The family would like to especially thank Jo Dent, Jamailah “J” Purifoy, Teresa Tizeno, Renita Strickland, Tamara Hubbard, and Loretta Mosly of Young at Heart Caregivers for the kindness, love, and comfort given to Dot in her final days. Also, Dean Martin, Jessica Zahorscak, Lisa Shepard, Alton King, and the rest of the staff at AlaCare Hospice service. The family will receive friends for visitation at Elmwood Chapel on Wednesday, January 7, 2015, from 1-2pm, followed by a graveside service. In lieu of flowers, donations made in Dot’s honor may be sent to: American Heart Association, PO Box 840692, Dallas, TX 75284-0692