Virginia Lee Francis Cook, age 87, passed away at home shortly after a diagnosis of terminal leukemia.
Visitation will be Friday, June 26, 2020, 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Woodfin Chapel, Smyrna, Tennessee. A private, family graveside service will be held at Roselawn Memorial Gardens in Smyrna, Tennessee led by Reverend Dan Parker and Dr. Shelby Hazzard. Family will serve as pallbearers.
Virginia Lee Francis Cook was born on March 16, 1933 in Cannon County, Tennessee and was raised in both Cannon and Rutherford Counties. She was the daughter of the late Bervy L. Francis and the late Sarah Inez Peyton (Francis) Vance. Virginia married the late William George Cook in 1949. She was a graduate of Central High School in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. She was currently an active member of Parkway Baptist Church, the Blackman Community Club, and the Tennessee Association for Family and Community Education: Blackman Club.
Virginia was a talented seamstress and enjoyed doing all types of needlework for which she received numerous awards. Virginia used expertise with needlecrafts to create beautiful quilts, crocheted or knitted blankets, pillows, and cross-stitch projects. She frequently worked during her life as an alterations expert for many different stores such as Lilly Reuben, Belk, Nanny’s Doin’s, The Men’s Squire Shop, and the Cotton Patch. She made many beautiful wedding dresses, prom dresses, children’s garments, and home accessories. Virginia continued with her alterations at home until the age of 87. She also loved working for her community and friends to make special projects such as costumes for choir performances at her church, clothes for children in Haiti, and teddy bears for first responders to give to at-risk children. Virginia was also an avid reader and loved to work crossword puzzles.
Virginia was a loving mother of three daughters: Janet S. Demastus (David) of McDonald, TN, Linda M. Hogue (Hugh) of Pelham, AL, and Donna K. Schutzenhofer (Jeff) of Aiken, SC. She is also survived her brother, Robert E. Francis (Anne) of Smyrna, TN. She was a proud grandmother of five grandchildren: Jason D. Demastus, Melissa A. Hall (Aaron), Hugh V. Hogue, Jr., Sarah M. Anderson (Mark) and Joshua E. Schutzenhofer. Virginia was preceded in death by a grandson, Evan D. Demastus. She was also blessed with five great-grandchildren: Shelby Parris, Anna Charlotte Hall, Eleanor R. Hall, Iris S. Hall, and baby girl Anderson (due October). Included in her family were two, step great-grandchildren: Caleb and Madelyn Anderson. Virginia also had many nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to Caris Healthcare of Tennessee Hospice: Rutherford County, 242 Heritage Park Drive, Suite 101, Murfreesboro, TN, or Parkway Baptist Church (Future Building Fund), 1715 Lee Victory Parkway, Smyrna, TN.
