JOAN COOK
(March 5, 1936 – June 10, 2017)
Joan Martin Cook, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, teacher, and Baylor Bears fan passed away on June 10, 2017. She is survived by her daughter, Caren Cook Burbach and husband, Edward of Austin; grandchildren Caroline Burbach, Audra Stearns and Beau Roy Burbach; brother Grant Martin and wife, Glenda of Waco, niece Ginger Martin Elverud and family of Minneapolis; nephew Garen Martin and family of Phoenix; and treasured friends, including LaDell Phillips of Tyler, her close friend for over 70 years. Joan was preceded in death by her husband of 56 years, Roy H. Cook and beloved daughter, Catherine (Cathy) Cook Stearns.
Born March 5, 1936 in Chattanooga, Tennessee to William G. Martin and Mabel Grant Martin, Joan and family moved to Tyler, Texas where she spent her childhood and graduated from Tyler High School. She attended Baylor University, graduating in 1956. In 1958, Joan and Roy married in Tyler, Texas.
Joan was a member of Waller Baptist Church for over 54 years and was President of the Waller Order of the Eastern Star. She taught kindergarten at Waller Elementary School and kept the books for McCaig-Cook Chevrolet, as well as for her and Roy's Texaco distributorship. Known for her wit and fast driving, her passions were many, including, history, music and traveling. Her travels included every U.S. state, Canada, Mexico, England, France, Greece, Israel, Egypt (her favorite), and China.
A funeral service will be held Saturday, July 8th at 11:30 a.m. at New Hope United Methodist Church located next to Fields Store Cemetery (26104 Schneider Road, Waller, Texas). In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Fields Store Cemetery Association.
Pallbearers are Beau Roy Burbach, Grant Martin, Garen Martin, Ed Burbach, Harold Thomas, Guy Thomas, Austin Stearns, Jack Dennison, Roger Frey and Governor Greg Abbott.