Esther Cook

Esther Barbee Cook, 88, of Salisbury, NC, died Thursday, May 19, 2011, at Rowan Regional Medical Center of Salisbury. She was born April 30, 1923, in Stanly County, the daughter of the late John Howell and Jenny Lowder Barbee, and was the widow of William Edward (Bill) Cook since 1975. She was married to Bill on January 28, 1942. Mrs. Cook was a former resident of Concord and was a member of Center United Methodist Church since 1956. The Martha Powell Sunday School Class was special in her life. Esther was faithful with a greeting card ministry that she enjoyed. At a young age, she gave her heart to Jesus. He was her savior and faithful Friend. During the last years of her life, Esther was a live-in-companion and care giver to a number of special ladies. Each family came to be her family. Being part of their lives was a joy to her. She retired from this at age 80 for health reasons. Esther was preceded in death by her son, Tommy Ray Cook; son-in-law Larry Lee Greene; daughter-in-law, Alma Barrier Cook; brothers, D. C. Barbee and Lonnie Barbee; half-brother, Frank Barbee; half-sister, Nora Barbee; and sisters, Ruby Jane Barbee, Margaret B. Troutman, and Ruth B. Stimson. She is survived by her three children and their families; daughter and son-in-law, Ann G. and N. Kent Whitfield of Cary, NC; daughter-in-law, Linda Cook of Concord; daughter and son-in-law, Alice C. and Allen Wallace of Salisbury; son and daughter-in-law, William Edward, Jr. and Donna Cook of Mt. Pleasant; five grandchildren, Susan G. Pettengill of Apex, NC; Teresa G. Rosebrough and her husband, Ryan, of Raleigh, Brian L. Greene and his wife, Rachel, of Holly Springs, Holly Nelson and her husband, Andy, of Randleman, Sarah Grace Cook, of Mount Pleasant, step-grandchildren, Justin McBride and Sumner McBride, of Mt. Pleasant; and great-grandchildren, Brittany Pettengill, Naomi, Bethany, Hosanna, Moriah, and Sahara Greene, Seth and Grant Rosebrough, and Ethan Nelson; sister, Inez Calloway and husband, Bill, of Cary; sister-in-law, Elizabeth Barbee, of Albemarle; and many nephews and nieces. The family will receive friends from 3:00 – 4:00 p.m., Saturday, May 21, at Center United Methodist Church, Concord, with the funeral service beginning at 4:00. Rev. Don Newman and Rev. Neil Haynes will officiate and burial will follow in the church cemetery. The family request memorials be made to Center United Methodist Church, 1119 Union Street South, Concord, NC 28025. Hartsell Funeral Home of Concord is serving the Cook family.