LENA COOK

Lena Mae Vinson Cook was born and raised in Ennis, Texas on March 16, 1932. She is the daughter of the late Richard Vinson and Isabelle Lewis Vinson Harris.

She attended Dorie Miller Elementary School and graduated from George Washington Carver in 1951. She went on to Prairie View University and received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education and minored in Home Economics in 1955.

She returned to Ennis and married the love of her life, the late Edward Cook in 1956. She used her degree to obtain her 1st and only teaching job here in Ennis Independent School District.

She taught 1st grade at Dorie Miller Elementary for several years until integration moved her to Sam Houston Elementary School, Ennis. She continued to teach 1st grade for 27years and the last 3 years Chapter 1 Reading.

She completed her teaching career of 30 years in May 1994, retiring from the District.

She was a great teacher, loved her students and they loved her. She was often greeted by former students, some she remember, some remember her as wanting to be her former student.

She has impacted the lives of many students; many have become professionals.

She was a faithful member of Fourth Ward Missionary Baptist  Church. She  has  served  as Sunday School Teacher, Mission Department, and Senior Choir President.

She is the proud mother of two daughters, Zina Belle Cook and Alice Elaine Cook Peteet.

With her soft-spoken voice and warm smile, she has become "Granmama" to many.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Edward Cook; mother, Isabelle Lewis Harris; father, Richard Vinson; sisters, Dorothy Nell Vinson, Patricia Vinson, Darlene Vinson Daniels; brothers, Richard Charles Vinson and Roy Vinson.

She leaves to cherish her memories: daughters, Zina Cook of Ennis, Texas and Alice Elaine Cook Peteet (Robert) of Mesquite, Texas; grandchildren, Avery Peteet, Sr. of Kaufman, Texas, Robert Peteet, Jr. (Jeanell) of Garland, Texas, Akila J. Anderson of Cedar Hill, Texas; sisters, Virginia Basarich (Sarge) of Sioux City, Iowa, Lisa Whitby ( Leroy) Little Elm, Texas, Regina Hewitt (Chris) of Lewisville, Texas; sisters-in-law, Bettye Vinson, Dallas, and Sheila Vinson of Oak Point, Texas; brother-in-law, Robert Daniels of McGregor, Texas; aunts, Virgie Williams and Johnnie Faye White of Dallas, Texas; loving god–granddaughter, Sherita Gardner; god-great grandson Jeremiah Mitchell of Dallas, Texas;  and a host of other relatives and friends