Mary Alice Barber Cook, 93, of Natchitoches, passed away on March 23, 2024. Mary Alice was born on July 8, 1930 to Mary Ella Odom Barber and Stephen Titus Barber in Monroe, LA. She attended primary school at Warren-Easton Elementary School. After Mary Alice graduated from Natchitoches High School in 1947, she began studies at NSU. She finished her Bachelor's degree in Biology at the University of Arizona in Tucson. Returning to Louisiana, Mary Alice did her internship in Medical Technology at Charity Hospital in N.O.
Mary Alice worked as a Medical Technologist at Shriner’s Hospital and Confederate Memorial Hospital. She taught Science one year in El Paso, Tx. She was considered an outstanding parasitology technician and a first class phlebotomist. While raising her children she also worked at Natchitoches Parish Hospital and Drs. Cook and Campbell medical office.
Mary Alice married Roy Allen Cook of Florien, LA in 1952 and they were blessed with four children, Mary Cook Squyres (Merlin), Eunice Cook Smith (Cal), Sarah Cook Axsom (Matthew), and Edward Houston Cook (Jeannie).
Mary Alice was a hardworking woman with many interests. She enjoyed playing the harp, bird watching, speech and debate, and flower arranging. She belonged to the St. Denis Garden Club for several years. Her life was spent in service to others, primarily her husband and children. She served as a 4-H Leader for many years while encouraging her young children in their many projects and thereby influenced many other young people’s lives as well. Mary Alice was a member of the Herb Society of Alexandria for many years and they made her a member of the club for life. Often the members would come visit her at home after she could no longer travel to meet with them.
Mary Alice was a devout Christian and a resolute prayer warrior. She was one of the original members of Grace New Testament Baptist Church. She served the church family faithfully for 57 years. She ministered to the sick, elderly, those in the nursing home, and others in the community by preparing food and delivering it with words of encouragement.
Mary Alice was preceded in death by her parents, her adopted mother, Minnie Lee Odom, and one grandson, Boaz Barber Squyres. Left to cherish her memory are her husband of 72 years, Dr. Roy A. Cook, four children, 23 grandchildren, and 24 great—grandchildren in addition to a host of loving friends.
Arrangements are as follows: visitation with the family is Wednesday, March 27th at 10:00 am at Grace New Testament Baptist Church, 4328 La-3278, Natchitoches, La 71457, with funeral service at 11:00 am. It will be followed by a graveside service at Russell Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to the Mexican Indian Training Mission whose home office is located at 2020 E. 70th Street, Shreveport La 71105 Ph. 318-686-9380.
