Florence Carpenter Cook passed away Saturday, July 23, 2011 in Newport News, VA.  She was born April 30, 1918 in Demorest, GA, and moved from Georgia to Newport News in 1997 to be near her daughter and family.

Florence had a wealth of memories from her 38 years of teaching, 22 of them at Fernbank Elementary School and in Newton County before that.  She hoped that she “challenged students to be curious and to search things out for themselves.”  She also enjoyed sewing, gardening and helping family and friends.  She taught Sunday School at First United Methodist Church in Covington before moving to Atlanta where she was a member of the alter guild at Glenn Memorial United Methodist Church, and later she helped in the library at Hidenwood Presbyterian Church in Newport News and was a member of PEO.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband H. Carter Cook, her brother Stan Carpenter and her sister Bonnie Powell.  Survivors include her daughter Ann Pleasants and her husband William A. Pleasants; two grandchildren: Richard Pleasants and Elizabeth Ann Perot and their spouses; three great-grandchildren: Presley Perot, Carter Pleasants and Cooper Pleasants; one sister Ethel Lovett; one brother William E. Turpin; and numerous loving nieces, nephews, and cousins. 

A graveside service will be held on August 19 at 3:30pm at Covington City Cemetery in Covington, GA.    In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Salvation Army or any charity of your choice.  Arrangements are by J. C. Harwell & Son Funeral Home, 2157 East Street SE, Covington, GA 30014.  www.harwellfuneralhome.com