Mary R. Vanhook

Mary Rutledge VanHook, 96, passed away February 25, 2023, in Nashville, Tennessee. Mary is survived by husband, Robert Peyton VanHook, Sr.; sister, Dorothy Johnson of Lebanon, TN; daughters Vicki Gentry (Phil) and Debra Grizzard (Ronnie) of Nashville, TN; son, Robert VanHook, Jr. (Carol) of Manchester, TN; eight grandchildren Rob VanHook (Eva), Jayson VanHook, Danielle Rothman (Josh), Courtney Rommel (Kollin), Amanda Frykberg (Brett), Sarah Nemitz (Jordon), Kendall Marlow (Brian), Michael VanHook (Rebecca); seventeen great-grandchildren Kayla, Cole, Sam, Bennett, Ellis, Knox, Skylar, Cohen, Grant, Cade, Peyton, Riley, Logan, Madison, Fletcher, Finley, and Emma; and many nieces, nephews, and families.

Mary was born to Emma G. (Santi) and James A. Rutledge near Nashville. As a little girl, she helped her daddy work in his grocery story on a busy corner of Nashville, which is today adjacent to Music Row! She was Class Secretary and Treasurer of her Senior Class 1945 in Hume-Fogg High School and co-captain of the cheerleading squad. She was selected D.A.R. medalist at graduation for honor, service, courage, leadership, and scholarship.

A year following World War II, she married her high school sweetheart, Robert P. VanHook, from Lebanon. With Mary’s support, Robert earned a degree from Vanderbilt University, even as they were beginning to build a family! In 1952, Mary and Robert, with children, Vicki and Bob, moved to Manchester, where Robert began work at AEDC, and a third child, Debra, was born. They were longtime members of First Baptist Church and Mary often assisted with nursery care. She also helped her community, volunteering at Good Samaritan and visiting elderly care facilities with her church friends. It has been said that the VanHooks’ home was open to all and filled with happy memories! Mary often had a pot of pinto beans on the stove, brownies or chocolate pie on the counter, and sweet/lemonade in the refrigerator! Her friend cornbread was amazing! While the children were growing up, teen parties, snow sledding, band practices, and picnics at the creek were normal events – with Mary serving as hostess!

Mary and Robert traveled the world and made every effort to include children and grandchildren on their trips. After Robert’s retirement, they traveled America in a motorhome. They made new friends along the journey. Mary created a luxurious “home away from home” in their coach. In their mid-nineties, Mary and Robert moved to Charter Senior Living in Nashville to be nearer family and medical care.

Mary’s love of people radiates pure sunshine and warms countless lives. She was a wonderful role model! Cards and letters from family and friends over the years shared her sweet nature: “I try to thank God every day that He gave me you for a mom.” “Nanny, thanks for letting us use your sewing machine and showing us how to use it.” “You are truly beautiful inside and out.” A page in her yearbook complimented her smile, “Always keep that smile for everybody and you will do a lot toward making this old world a much better place to live in.” That is what Mary has done for 96 years!

Arrangements are pending.