Mary Briscoe Cook, 99, of Decatur passed away Saturday, September 13, 2014 at the home of her daughter. Mary was born in the community of Rescue in Morgan County on February 9, 1915 to Joseph Milton Briscoe and Carrie Ditto Briscoe. She was the direct descendant of James Ditto, the first settler in Madison County in 1802, and was the youngest of four children. She was preceded in death by her husband of 51 years, Wesley Cook, her parents and her brothers and sisters. She is survived by a daughter, Carol Cook Puckett, and her husband, Charles, of Decatur, and granddaughters, Rosemary Ellen Puckett (Birmingham), Ruth Ann Puckett (Mt. LeConte in the Great Smoky Mountains) and Martha Lillian Puckett (New York City).
A lifelong resident of Decatur and Morgan County, she was a faithful member of Central United Methodist Church. Mary attended Athens College and completed her nursing degree at Charity Hospital in New Orleans in 1935. Upon returning to Decatur, she worked at the Morgan County Health Department until the early 1950s. An avid gardener, she was most at home outdoors and in her gardens. She could identify every wild flower and tree by sight, and was often called on to share her knowledge of the natural world. Her love of the outdoors made her an excellent Girl Scout leader for many years. She had an especially kind heart for all animals and was never without animal companions in her life.
A memorial service will be held at 4 p.m. on Thursday, September 18 at Central United Methodist Church. The family will receive friends beginning at 2:30 p.m. in the sanctuary. Sarah Miller and Reverend Gary Formby will officiate.
The family wishes to extend grateful thanks to all the caregivers from Hospice of the Valley and to Donna Holt. Their care and attention provided great comfort both to Mary and the family.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to Hospice of the Valley or Central United Methodist Church.
