Cliffa Gene Cook, 92, of Pontotoc died Dec. 2, 2015
Cliffa Gene Cook of Pontotoc, Texas, passed from this life on Dec. 2, 2015, at the age of 92.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Ezra Glen Cook; son Charles Ezra Cook; and son-in-law Donald Ray Henderson. She was born Aug. 30, 1923, in Llano to Dawn (Spinks) Lange and Walter Lange of Pontotoc.
She graduated from Llano High School in 1940. While attending Sul Ross State Teaching College in Alpine, she met and married Ezra Cook on July 31, 1942.
During World War II, she worked at the Marfa Air Force Base until her husband entered the U.S. Navy. She later joined him in San Diego, California. There, she worked at Safeway grocery stores and Rohr Aircraft, where they made PB2Y seaplanes.
She and her husband entered the ranching business with her parents when he received his discharge from the Navy in 1946. During the severe drought of the 1950s, she taught school for five years to supplement the family income.
While a member of Cherokee Baptist Church, she organized the Girl’s Auxiliary and was its leader. She served as Sunday school secretary for 21 years.
Cliffa Gene and Ezra moved their membership to Llano First Baptist Church in 1989. There, she was a member of the Seekers Sunday school class and served on various committees.
She also enjoyed cooking and entertaining family and friends.
Cliffa Gene started taking oil painting and china painting lessons in 1967. She enjoyed sharing her paintings with family and friends. Bluebonnets became her favorite subject to paint, and she claimed she could paint a bluebonnet on anything that would stand still.
Cliffa Gene Cook is survived by her daughter-in-law Lale Cook; daughters, Candace Henderson and Kristy Harris and husband Joe; grandchildren, Amy Peters, Wendy McQueen, Dawn Dockey, Neslie Cook, Judd Henderson and Curtis Harris; and great-grandchildren, Deacon Henderson, Lachlan Harris, Benjamin McQueen, Levi Henderson, Bethany Dockey, Sayla Henderson, Christopher McQueen, George Dockey and Ellie Harris
The family requests memorial contributions be made to First Baptist Church of Llano or a charity of your choice.
A funeral service is 10 a.m. Dec. 5 at First Baptist Church of Llano with the Rev. Rick Cundieff officiating. Burial will follow at Cold Creek Cemetery.
Pallbearers are Judd Henderson, Curtis Harris, Jeff Dockey, Joe Harris, Randall Ross and Norman Ross
Arrangements by Waldrope-Hatfield-Hawthorne Funeral Home, 307 E. Sandstone in Llano, (325) 247-4300. Email whhfuneral1@verizon.net with condolences.