Mary Agnes Livingston Cook

Mary Agnes Livingston Cook

Tupelo - Mary Agnes Livingston Cook, 96, died peacefully in her sleep June 14, 2017, at Avon Lea Assisted Living Tupelo. She will be remembered for her exuberance of life, jovial nature and passionate commitment in whatever she was doing. For most of her childhood and adolescence she was a native of the Flowerdale community in present Tupelo; however, for a few years she lived in the Delta at Parchman, Indianola, and Cleveland before and during the 1927 Mississippi River flood. (Her father worked at Parchman during the Depression and Mary Agnes loved teasing new friends that she had “spent time in Parchman.”)

She graduated from Tupelo High School in 1938 and Mississippi State College for Women in 1942 with Bachelor of Arts degree majoring in English and Latin. Later in 1942 Mary Agnes married Leland B. Cook of Tupelo; thereafter, the couple moved to Pascagoula, Mississippi, and later lived in Bremerton, Washington, where Leland served in the US Navy. Mary Agnes taught school in both locales and made lifelong friends as a Navy wife. After World War II the couple returned to Tupelo where they started a family. She later taught at Lawhon School and furthered her education at Mississippi State and University of Mississippi earning Master and Specialist’s degrees in Library Science. She served more than 25 years at Lawhon, mostly as librarian, and with her admired mentor, Principal Aaron Morgan.

Mary Agnes loved history and researched her families’ genealogies including Livingston, Witt, Banks and Heard. From these families and relatives she learned and recited many a yarn. Her research gave her the courage to tackle the internet in her 80’s and to make new friends who shared her zeal for learning about her roots. She used her research skills to document the history of First Baptist Church for its Sesquicentennial Celebration – creating fun and educational skits for the congregation. She was also active in First Baptist as Training Union teacher, WMU leader, and Sunday School teacher of the Single Adults' Class for about 30 years.

Mary Agnes was active with the Scouts. She helped her son’s Boy Scout troop members attain the God and Country award. With the Girl Scouts of America, she donated time as a troop leader while both daughters were members. Her troops raised monies and took trips to the World’s Fair in New York City and Jamaica.

She and Leland shared in many of their hobbies, church/community services, and family activities. They loved playing bridge with their Plantersville friends, going for a round of tennis, travelling (especially with their good friends, Tom and Pearl Wiley), gardening, and always rooting for the Bulldogs. Known as “Babe” to her close friends and grandchildren, Babe and Leland hosted annual family beach vacations and “Kids' Week” just for the grandkids. Upon retiring, they started a Single Adults' class at First Baptist creating a place of love and friendship.

Survivors include her children, Lee Bryson (Dr. John Bryson) of Tupelo, Caye Cook of Dallas, Texas and Steve Cook of Tupelo; grandchildren, Dr. David Bryson (Jennifer Soper Bryson) of Murray, Kentucky, Reid Bryson (Libby Earthman Bryson) of Winters, California, Allyn Bryson of Hillsborough, North Carolina, Cayce Cook (Andrea) and Kevin Cook of Vestavia Hills, Alabama; great-grandchildren, Ana and Meg Bryson, Harper and Caytlin Cook, and Eowyn (Winnie) Bryson. She enjoyed a special friendship with her former daughter-in-law, Nancy Hilliard Cook.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Leland Blanchard Cook; parents, Cayce Leon Livingston and Mary Belle Banks Livingston; and brother, Cayce Banks Livingston - all of Tupelo.

Visitation will be from 4 until 6 p.m. Friday, June 16, 2017 at W.E. Pegues, Tupelo.

A celebration of her life will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, June 17, 2017 at First Baptist Church, Tupelo, with graveside services following in Tupelo Memorial Park. W. E. Pegues Funeral Directors is in charge of the arrangements.

Pallbearers will be Dr. David Bryson, Reid Bryson, Allyn Bryson, Cayce Cook and Kevin Cook. Honorary pallbearers will be the Single Adults' Class of First Baptist Church.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Lottie Moon Missions offering through First Baptist Church, Tupelo, 300 N Church Street, Tupelo, MS 38804.

Expressions of sympathy may be left at www.peguesfuneralhome.com .