Mary (Cook) Stephens

Family hour will take place at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, December 19, 2009 at Zion Missionary Baptist Church, 721 Johnson Street, with the funeral commencing at 11:00 a.m. Pastor Rodrick A. Smith will officiate with interment in Forest Lawn Cemetery. Friends may call at Browne's Mortuary, 441 North Jefferson Avenue, on Friday from 2:00 until 8:00 p.m. Mary Catherine (Cook) Stephens was born October 6, 1936. She was born in Seale (Russell County), Alabama to the union of the late Jackson and Lillie Beatrice Scott Cook. She attended and graduated from Spencer High School in Columbus GA in 1955 with her high-school sweetheart. Their courtship began when they were 15 year olds. They would marry shortly after graduation and spend 53 years together. Upon moving to Saginaw, MI, Mary began her career with Saginaw General Hospital as a Practical Nurse, then joining the practice of Dr. Webb, followed by Dr. Heavenrich, and later becoming Officer Manager of Bell Engineering of which she retired in 2001. One of her loves was traveling. She went on to work with Opperman Travel Agency as a consultant and later co-owned Air Plus Travel Agency. During her retirement years, she also worked as a greeter at Browne's Mortuary. Mary loved the fellowship of her family, whether it was traveling on family vacation, playing scrabble, Phase 10, Uno Attack or playing the Wii. She would not be left out no matter what the event. She loved to organize bus trips for shopping, plays, and casino trips. Mary is known for always telling jokes, especially on her bus trips. She had the timing of a professional comic. She will be remembered to most as mother, sister, grandmother and GG, but to her high school sweetheart, she will forever be remembered as his "Cookie". She had a special gift of making anyone feel they were the only one special at that moment. Mary was active in her church and loved her Sunday school class. Some of her involvement in the church has included: Preschool Sunday School Teacher, Sewing Club, Trustee Board, Youth Fellowship Group, Beautification Ministry, Deaconess and a Charter Member of the Courtesy Board. She had a great concern for her community and contributed to its improvement through volunteering in various organizations. She was a long-term board member and former President of the local chapter of Habitat for Humanity. She was also a charter member and former President of the Tri-City Chapter, The Links, Incorporated. In addition to this, she served as Chairperson for the Ebony Fashion Fair show for over ten years. Mary leaves cherished memories to her husband of 53 years Sylvester Joe Stephens and three daughters, Pamela Linette Monroe (Larry) Saginaw, MI, Kimberly Jo Roberts (Everett) Flint, MI and Traci Yvette Stephens of Saginaw, MI; three granddaughters and four grandsons: Charone Michelle Carter (Joseph) Farmington Hills, MI, Tanisha Nicole Roberts, Charlotte, NC, Chalonda Mary Parker (Samuel), Saginaw, MI, Everett Corey Roberts, Ypsilanti, MI, Jory Allan Stephens, Charlotte, NC, Justice Avery Stephens and Jordan Alexander Stephens, Saginaw, MI and a special adopted granddaughter Lesley Foxx, Greensboro, NC; three great-grandchildren: Breanna Carter, Paris and Autumn Parker whom lovingly called her "GG"; three brothers Jackson Cook Jr. (Rose) of Phenix City, AL, Johnnie Cook, and Arlanza Cook (Alma) and one sister-in-law Mary G. Cook all of Columbus, GA; a special sister-in-law Doris Johnson of Saginaw, MI; a host of nieces and nephews, including two special nieces Cynthia Kindred and Tara Copeland Handberry; many other relatives and friends, including: Ernestine Ford, Juanita Foxx, Isabelle Holmes and Evelyn Wettlin and Lucille Surles. Preceding Mary in the silent halls of death were her parents, her three siblings, Calvin Cook, Lillie Luke and Robert James Cook, Sr.; and her in-laws, Sylvester and Martha Stephens, sister-in-law Mary Stephens, and a beloved niece, Gwendolyn Speight. The family would like to express special thanks to Christine Fenton, Tanesha Taybron and Tanya Rozier of Visiting Nurses Association and the Luther Hood Sunday School Class. A special acknowledgement to her extended church family of Christ Community Church.

Mary (Cook) Stephens

October 6, 1936 - December 12, 2009