Martha Emma McClain Cook

Martha Cook, aged 99, passed away peacefully on October 21, 2024. Born on December 10, 1924, to Carl and Nora McClain in Burlington Tx, Martha lived a long and beautiful life filled with kindness, generosity, and unwavering love for those around her.

 Martha dedicated her life to her family and community. She was a beloved mother, grandmother and great-grandmother who had a warm and gentle spirit and was always showing compassion for her family and friends. Her home was a place of peace and warmth, where all were welcome, and where her love was felt in every corner.

 Throughout her life, she found joy in her enduring faith and in serving others with kindness. She was a Sunday School director for middle school and then adult departments. She sang for many years in the Senior Saints Choir, which traveled to area nursing homes and ministered to the residents there. Martha enjoyed dressing up like Minnie Pearl and telling jokes when the Senior Saints met as a group. She served for many years as a church clerk under several pastors at Heights Baptist Church.

 While in high school, Martha worked in the Buckholts High School office. She graduated from Buckholts High School in May of 1942. She then attended Hieronymus Business School in Temple, Texas, for office management. Martha worked for Montgomery Ward for a while before retiring from Sears and Roebuck. She would proudly tell you that she worked at Sears for 33 years, 8 months, and 15 days.

 Martha was preceded in death by her parents, Carl and Nora McClain, her late husband, Steve Cook, a brother, Charles McClain, and a sister, Dorothy Ott. She is survived by her children Martha Jo Black (Robbie Black) and Scott Cole (Marie Cole), grandchildren Clint Black (Kristen Black), Sarah Miller (Tim Miller), Renee Baran (Jacob Baran), Emma Cole, and great-grandchildren Sam Black, Reed Black, Riley Black, Zachary Miller, Zoe Miller, Mark Baran, and siblings Eugene McClain (Mary McClain), Irene Thornton, Gladys White (Claude White), and Velma Jackson.

 Visitation with the family will be from 10 am until the funeral service begins at 11 am, on Saturday, October 26, 2024, at Heights Baptist Church. Burial will follow at Bellwood Cemetery.

 Services are in the care of Harper Talasek Funeral Home, 500 W. Barton Ave., Temple TX 76501.