Jeanne was a Registered Nurse (RN) for over 40 years. After graduation from RN training at St. Vincent Infirmary in 1945, she began her nursing career at St. Vincent Infirmary, then LR Baptist Hospital and worked until 1988 when she retired as the Nursing Supervisor of the Nursing Home Facility at the NLR VA Hospital-Fort Roots. Upon retirement, Jeanne never stopped. She began her very active volunteer work at NLR Baptist Hospital where she served as the leader of the volunteers for several years and even organized its first golf tournament. Her two favorite past times were golf and painting. Her grandson stated that he was surprised when he was with her golfing and commented that she did not hit the ball real far but it was always straight. She had a real talent as a painter, it was just natural. She credits her father for teaching her how to shade and blend colors with the end of a rag when she was in grade school. She was also a major artist of the murals along the halls of her church.
She had another talent but this one came from her Mother, who use to play the piano for silent movies, and that was the love of music. Jeanne began singing in school and her teacher told her never to quit. She was such an asset to the alto section of her church choir that when she lost her eye sight several years ago she became determined to ‘just memorize’ the music for each Sunday.
Ms. Cook was preceded in death by her parents, her brother Billy Mack Munns of California and her husband of over 28 years EJ Cook. While she and EJ attended high school together, they never really knew each other until he returned from WWII and was visiting with a friend at the hospital where she worked. As they say “The rest is history.”
Jeanne is survived by her daughters: Jackie Wilson (Bob) of Hot Spring Village and Beverly Williams (Bill) of Sherwood. She was blessed with five (5) grandchildren: Tom Wilson (Christie) of West Memphis, Heather Pruitt (Price) of Maumelle, Clint Wilson (Barbie) of Little Rock, Justin Williams (Mandi) of Greenwood and Ryan Williams of North Little Rock. She also has eleven (11) great grandchildren and one great - great grandson. She also is survived by her brother John (Buddy) Munns, Lincoln NB, and her sisters: Lisem (Audrey) Simpson of Thomasville, GA and Pam Cave (Tom) Oceanside, CA.
She was a proud member of North Little Rock First United Methodist Church, where she was an active member of the church choir, as well as her Sunday School Class and UMW circle. At one time during her retirement years she worked at the Church Day Care and spoiled the local babies because she rocked them all day long as she sang to them.
The family thanks you for sharing in the celebration of the life of Margaret Jeanne Cook and asks that donations be made in her memory to NLR First United Methodist Church at 6701 JFK Blvd., NLR, AR 72116.
