Frances Crain Cook's Obituary
Frances Crain Cook
Frances Crain Cook, fifth-generation Texan, died July 19, 2009, at Westminster Manor, Austin, Texas, where she and her husband had resided for 15 years.
Born on July 17, 1912, in Longview, Texas, Frances attended the local schools, then entered Ward-Belmont in Nashville, Tennessee. After two years there, she transferred to the University of Texas to complete her college education in 1933. While at U.T., she was initiated into Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority, an affiliation that was to bring rich rewards of friendship and years of generous financial support both at the national and local chapter level. In 2007, Frances was enthusiastically honored in Austin at a luncheon with the presentation of her 75-year pin by the Kappa national President.
Frances married her high school sweetheart, Chauncey W. "Tex" Cook on December 27, 1934, then quickly headed north to Cincinnati, Ohio, where Tex had been transferred from New York with a promotion from Proctor and Gamble to become chief engineer. Their two children, David and Ann, were both born there, but in the fall of 1942, the family moved to the suburbs of New York City, where Tex had been hired by General Foods Corporation. Frances became very active in Larchmont, New York, serving in many community organizations, as an elder at the Presbyterian Church, Camp Fire Leader, and dedicated member of the Westchester County Kappa Kappa Gamma Alumnae Association. In 1964, she was elected as a delegate to represent this Association at the national convention in Sun Valley, Idaho.
Following his retirement as Chairman of General Foods in 1974, Tex and Frances moved back to Texas, and for 20 years resided in a beautiful home they designed at Lakeway, outside of Austin. Throughout their 68 years of marriage, each unselfishly contributed to many community, church and civic causes. Of particular importance to both were educational advancement in the form of scholarships and the endowment of departmental chairs at the University of Texas. Additionally, Frances generously directed her support to her sorority's foundation, specifically for scholarships and for alumnae temporarily in financial need. Frances loved beautiful things-whether in nature's flowers, antiques, music or art. Her wide range of friends formed a colorful bouquet of admiring fans who sought her graceful charm and kindness until her final days. She never stopped thinking of others, especially children. She always seemed to know exactly what was of interest for any age child, whom she often surprised with a specially chosen gift. Many will attest that one attribute they cherished and admired was her prolific note and letter-writing. In an age of abbreviated, electronic communication, Frances never took shortcuts to settle for less than a property written message on personally monogrammed stationery.
Predeceased by her loving husband; and two brothers, B.W. Crain Jr., and E.B. Crain; survivors include her daughter, Ann Cook Cole; son, David W. Cook and his wife Sherry, all of Arlington, Virginia; granddaughters, Jennifer Cook of Chicago, Illinois, and Kimberley Cook Bascle and husband Jeff, their two daughters, Hailey and Leah, of Orlando, Florida; grandson, Christopher his wife Michelle, and their daughter, Margot of Pasadena, California; sisters-in-law, Ann Lacy Crain of Longview, and Kata Crain of Dallas; cousins, Claire Foster and Garland Baldwin of Longview; nephews, Edward, Rogers and Walter Crain of Houston; nieces, Lacy Crain II and Katherine Crain Spears of Houston and Dallas, respectively; and many other cousins and friends.
Following a private committal service at Greenwood Cemetery in Longview, Texas, a memorial service will be held at the First Presbyterian Church, 301 N. Center St., Longview, TX on Saturday, July 25, 2009, at 2 p.m. with Dr. W.D. O'Neal and the Rev. Jonathan Jahorek officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Kappa Kappa Gamma Foundation, P.O. Box 38, Columbus, OH 43216, Gregg County Historical Museum-Crain-Cook Exhibit Fund, P.O. Box 3342, Longview, TX 75606, or American Red Cross of Central Texas, 2218 Pershing Drive, Austin, Texas, 78723.
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