Virginia Carolina Cook, born Dec. 31, 1935, passed away July 29, 2025, at the age of 89. Commonly known as Virginia, Ginny, Mom or Nana, she leaves behind her children, Elaine Hamrick, Bob Cook and Connie (Duane) Bryant. She was blessed additionally with six grandchildren: Andrea (Matt) Smeall, Matthew (Cassie) Hamrick, Nathan Bryant, Tanele Cook, Whitney (Mike) Lowrey and Hailey Blankenship; and 11 great-grandchildren: Brody and Tucker Smeall, Raygen and Reese Hamrick, Freddie and Fynn Bryant, Macee and Mavyn Shannon, Jaxsyn and Hudson Lowrey, and Brock Blankenship.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Fred; her parents, William and Clara Schwartz; and brother, Donald Schwartz.
Virginia loved the farm life. Seeing her on the tractor during hay season, milking cows year-round, and doing various farm chores was never an uncommon sight. She was often found in the kitchen at home cooking for hay crews or whoever stopped by the house, at her church kitchen coordinating potlucks for special events, and in the 4-H Council Kitchen. She holds the record for 4-H Council treasurer for 40-plus years. Her enjoyment both with youth and serving others was a huge part of her life. She acted as 4-H livestock superintendent, served on the Junior Livestock Sale Committee, as well as being a 4-H leader for many years. In 2002, she was honored to be inducted into the 4-H Hall of Fame.
She was a member of Christian Fellowship Church of Winlock, serving as a deaconess, but probably was best known for being the “Cookie Lady” at Awana’s.
A celebration of life will be held Saturday, Aug. 9, at 2 p.m. at Christian Fellowship Church, 630 Cemetery Road, Winlock. A luncheon will follow. Memorials may be made to Lewis County Junior Livestock Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 1635, Chehalis, WA 98532.
