of Batesville, AR
April 8, 1929 - January 29, 2023
Ida Katherine "Kate" Dunkin Cooke of Batesville, born April 8, 1929 to the late Damon Duffield Dunkin and Mertie Arnold Dunkin Harris, died peacefully on Sunday, January 29, 2023.
Her husband of 63 years, Samuel "Sam" Coombs Cooke and her sister, Della Mae Dortch preceded her in death. She leaves her four children and their spouses, Becky and Anthony Falkowski (Dover, DE), Sam and Rita Cooke (Batesville), John and Cindy Cooke (Batesville) and Mary and Chris Boushelle (Fayetteville); 11 grandchildren and their spouses, Emily and Mike McGetrick (Vienna, VA), Jeff and Bethany Halpern (Crownsville, MD) and Ryan and Steph Halpern (Dover, DE), Allison Cooke (Little Rock), and Samuel and Lindsey Cooke (Fayetteville), Alex and Sara Cooke (Vilonia) and David and Melanie Cooke (Dover), and Jay and Tana Boushelle (Bixby, OK), John Boushelle (Broomfield, CO), Katherine Boushelle (Fayetteville) and Rebecca Boushelle (Hinesville, GA); three bonus grandchildren and spouses, Preston and Hannah Caldwell (Batesville), Alexandra and Ben Benton and Alyssa Chunn (all of Little Rock); 14 great-grandchildren, Kyle, Collin and Kensington Halpern, Ellie and Addie Halpern, Dunkin, Charlotte and Lucy Wilkes, Griffin and Weston Cooke, Tucker and Tanner Cooke and Rae and Isaac Cooke.
She was a graduate of Little Rock Central High School, attended Ward-Belmont College and graduated from University of Tulsa where she was a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority. She married her college sweetheart and they moved to Montana, Wyoming, California, Texas, Oklahoma and Louisiana, while Sam worked as a geologist. After seven years he became manager of Silica Products Company in Guion, owned by her mother, the late Mertie A. Harris. Kate was secretary of the corporation.
Her family was the joy of her life and her family loved her deeply. She hosted many family gatherings over the years at Hilton Head, SC, Branson, MO, Mountain View and their cabin at Highrock Farms on Sullivan Creek. Her second love was collecting antiques for her home, friends and her shop, Collector's Corner. A special day for her was when she was selected for an appearance on Antiques Roadshow filmed in Little Rock.
For a number of years she taught science at Batesville Junior High School. Kate was active with the Old Independence Regional Museum and was involved with the planning, site selection, museum furnishings and the gift shop. She was a founding member of a local investment club for women, a PEO Chapter Z member and a White River Medical Center volunteer. She was a woman of faith and involved with her church, First Presbyterian, serving on various committees and was active with Lyon College. She especially enjoyed her bridge groups and visiting and traveling with close friends.
The family would like to express its appreciation to her many caregivers, especially to Faye Wallace Lane, as well as the nurses and therapists at Woodcrest Assisted Living.
A graveside service will be held at Oaklawn Cemetery, Batesville at 2 p.m. Saturday, February 4. Arrangements are by Roller-Crouch Funeral Home. Honorary pallbearers include her nephews, Damon Dortch, George Dortch III and Eric Cooke and Tasker Rodman and J.R. Baker.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Old Independence Regional Museum, 380 E. Ninth Street, Batesville, AR 72501, to Maxfield Park (City of Batesville) or to First Presbyterian Church, 775 E. Boswell, Batesville, AR 72501.
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32 Condolence(s)
Cheryl Dees
Monday, March 20, 2023
Dearest Mary & family, my thoughts are with you during this very sad time. When I was born, my mother placed a poem in my baby book, Prayer for a Simple Heart, that, in part, read, "...I would ask, if I were truly wise, for some small store of pity to relieve another's pain...". My prayer is for peace in the midst of your pain. My love & sympathy be with you.
Rebecca (Becky) Ford Doster and Robert Ford, Jr
Wednesday, February 8, 2023
Dear Becky, Sam, John and Mary,
My heart is saddened to learn of the passing of your precious mother. She was always so welcoming and kind. Such happy, happy memories and to this day, I've NEVER seen a Christmas tree more beautiful than the ones in the Cooke home during the holidays. They were exquisite! Becky, our memories are many, be them our school days, sleep-overs, Scouts, playing the piano, trips to Guion and many, many more. I send each of you my love. You're in my thoughts and prayers during this time of grief and loss.
My father, Robert Ford, who lives with Dan and me in Atlanta is 96. He was the one who saw Ida Kate's obituary today in the Guard when it came in the mail. He sends his love and condolences to each of you. Dad and his siblings grew up on College Street and your mother and family grew up on Main Street. Their homes were back to back and they often all played together growing up, sharing many memories down through the years. Dad was so touched that Ida Kate came to my mother's visitation at Calvary Baptist Church at her passing. It was so dear to watch Dad, Ida Kate and Uncle Malcolm sit for quite some time and remember their childhood days together. A priceless moment I shall always remember.
God's Blessings on each of you, Becky (Ford) Doster and Robert Ford
Jan Burrow Qualls
Monday, February 6, 2023
You are all in my thoughts and prayers
Lisa Johnson
Saturday, February 4, 2023
I'm so sorry to hear of Miss Kate's passing. I truly enjoyed taking care of her at Woodcrest. She was so proud of all the accomplishments that her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren did. She was a fantastic lady who loved the razorback. Praying for peace and comfort during this difficult time.
Wanda Pomeroy
Thursday, February 2, 2023
I am so sorry to hear about Kates passing. She will truly be missed. My thought and prayers are with the family. Our generation is slowly losing the parents and grandparents that raised us and taught us the things we needed to survive. I wish I had listened closer to their wisdom.
Karen Davis
Thursday, February 2, 2023
Our thoughts a nd prayers are with the family and friends. Kate was a delightful person and had a wonderful sense of humor. She will be so missed.
Cindy Nelson
Wednesday, February 1, 2023
Kate was always so good to me. When Bill and I married, she offered to lend me her wedding dress, but , of course, it was too small. She helped Aunt Mertie prepare a reception at Aunt Mertie's house with just a couple of day's notice. Once she gave me a lot of her clothes and there was one suit that I wore to funerals a lot. At J. D.'s funeral she asked me if it was my funeral suit. I think I will wear it Saturday. As you kids know, she was very dear to me.
Betty Gaither
Wednesday, February 1, 2023
John so sorry for the loss of your mother, you and the family will be in my thoughts and prayers.
Twyla Gill Wright
Wednesday, February 1, 2023
I loved Kate. She was a marvelous member of several committees when we were working together to bring Old Independence Regional Museum into being: site selection, furnishings, gift shop. She continued to support the museum as she gave a naming gift in memory of her mother Mertie Harris. I also remember when she had her antique shop. We still sleep in the bed we bought from her.
She had a marvelous loving fun side coupled with an intelligent fierceness when she felt it was needed. I will treasure the recent times I spent with her as she shared stories of her life. During these last few weeks, I prayed each night for God's love to wrap around her like a blanket.
Jimmy and Ladene Bray
Tuesday, January 31, 2023
Sam, John and family,
Jimmy and I are so sorry for the loss of your sweet mother. Our thoughts and prayers are with you today and the days to follow.
Candace McBride
Tuesday, January 31, 2023
I am so very sorry for the loss each of you feel. I thought your Mom was so sweet and funny. I always enjoyed visiting your house with Becky. My prayers are with each of you.
Jaydine Morton
Tuesday, January 31, 2023
My intentions were to visit Kate, but it just wasn’t meant to be. My sister, Va Rue, died one month before Kate. My sympathy, love and prayers to the family. Kate was a beautiful person.
Janie Barber
Tuesday, January 31, 2023
My condolences to the family. Sam and Rita I’ll have you in my prayers.
Barbara Rogers Hoover
Tuesday, January 31, 2023
I have always admired and loved Kate !!!! She and my Mother shared many times together and Mother considered Kate her best friend. Kate and Sam were always a force in the Batesville community and I feel very honored to have been friends.
Sending love and prayers to the Cooke family.....
Faye Lane
Monday, January 30, 2023
Loved Kate like my second Mother she will. Be missed a whole lots
Elizabeth Evans
Monday, January 30, 2023
I remember seeing Sam, Sr. and Ida Kate in church every Sunday when we were kids. What great folks they were. My thoughts and condolences are with you all and your families.
Marie Johnson
Monday, January 30, 2023
Gone but know forgotten,will miss you .
You lost a wonderful person .
LuAnn Baker
Monday, January 30, 2023
Dear Allison and Cooke family- We are so sorry for your loss. Kate was a force in many lives.
I will remember her as fiercely devoted to her family. I was privileged to serve with her on church committees, and to occasionally sub in her bridge group. She was serious about both! Her investment group is something I missed out on, sadly.
If we were to look up matriarch in the Batesville dictionary, Kates picture surely be there.
Our thoughts will be with you all as you face a future without Kate.â¤ï¸â¤ï¸
LuAnn ( and Robert) Baker
Betty Cockrill
Monday, January 30, 2023
I am so sorry to hear about Mrs Cooke, my thoughts and prayers are with each of your families.
Shelia Upton Stobaugh
Monday, January 30, 2023
My prayers are with her family.
Claudia Nobles
Monday, January 30, 2023
Kate was such a lovely lady. She was fun to talk to and so very interesting. I know the family has many wonderful memories to share.
Linda Jobe
Monday, January 30, 2023
My thoughts and Prayers are with the family of Kate. She was a very special person to me.....for many reasons, but we had a mutual love of antiques and enjoyed sharing treasured stories of their history. Kate was a true friend! She will be missed!
Tracy Creighton Owens
Monday, January 30, 2023
Thinking of you Mary and your family during this time. Love and prayers,
Tracy
Kitty Wilson
Monday, January 30, 2023
Sam, I am so very sorry for the loss of your Mom. She was a great lady.
Many prayers
Tom Martin
Monday, January 30, 2023
My prayers are with the Cooke family, Mrs. Kate was a strong loving mother. God bless you all, I have no words that are adequate.
Jan Daniel
Monday, January 30, 2023
Sam, and families, so sorry about your loss. God bless you all. With thoughts and prayers, Jan.
Catherine Snyder
Monday, January 30, 2023
Sending love to you all 💕
Trish Walker
Monday, January 30, 2023
Kate was a beautiful person, such grace and poise. Prayers for the family and those who loved her. Rest in Peace sweet lady
Brenda Waters Lindeman
Monday, January 30, 2023
Thoughts and prayers for you, Mary and the family
Ina Provence
Monday, January 30, 2023
Sam, Rita and all the family ! So sorry for the passing of your sweet momma ! Prayers now and in days to come. !
Kay Southerland
Monday, January 30, 2023
I loved Kate. She was a wonderful friend and neighbor, and we shared many marvelous chats.
My sincere condolences- she will be missed by so many.
Suzanne Stalker Magouyrk
Monday, January 30, 2023
So, so many wonderful memories from my childhood growing up next door to the Cookes. What a wonderful life and family. Love to you all.