Gloria "Dodie" Clark Cook

Gloria "Dodie" Clark Cook went to be with Jesus on January 20, 2018 in Waco, Texas. A memorial service will be held at 2:30 p.m., Thursday, January 25, 2018, at The First Methodist Church of Waco, 4901 Cobbs Drive, with Pastor Wayne Williams officiating. Visitation will proceed the memorial at 1:30 p.m., at the church. 'Dodie' was born in Madison, Arkansas, on Valentine's Day, 1934, to Pearl and Merwin Clark. Her family relocated to Pine Bluff, Arkansas where she attended school. During High School, she and her future husband, Charles 'Cookie' Cook became 'sweethearts' and were married December 26, 1952 during their Freshman year in college. Their first child King was born in 1954, as Cookie graduated from USMC boot camp. They were stationed in 29 Palms, California, for two years, before returning to college on The GI Bill. Cookie earned a BS in Engineering from The University of Tulsa in 1959 and immediately joined the Magnolia Petroleum Company as a Geophysical Engineer. During this time Cookie and Dodie moved around and lived in many locations in the southwest. Their journey to find a home ended when they settled in Woodway in 1967, Texas where they would rear their three sons, King, David, and Dan Pat. Cookie and Dodie were one of the early residents of Woodway and were recently featured in the Woodway Today newsletter as one of the longest residing families of Woodway. Dodie and Joyce Bowden procured funds from The Cooper Foundation in 1971 to build the Woodway Boys Club, now, the Woodway Family Center. In 1971, Cookie joined Chemical Lime Company as sales manager. This led Dodie into a new life of supporting Cookie in the marketing arena attending various business functions. She was an instant hit with new friends and business associates establishing her 'charm and enthusiasm' wherever they went. After retirement in 1999, they enjoyed traveling on 'small boat' cruises, senior golf events, following the Baylor Bears and visiting many old friends from high school days. Their calendar was always filled with plans to visit family and friends. Dodie was a "stay at home" Mom, refereeing the sandlot games in their large backyard. She followed the boys religiously throughout their high school sports careers as well as raising animals for their FFA projects. She was an active member of The First Methodist Church of Waco and the New Beginnings Sunday School class. She taught Sunday School with Cookie, chaperoned youth groups on mission trips, served the 'meals on wheels' ministry and attended many bible studies through the years. Five years ago, she was diagnosed with signs of dementia and Parkinson's disease. She continued to be a part of the church and community, but her cognitive skills became very limited. Unfortunately, an accidental fall in December 2017 fractured her spine and brought on a serious physical and mental decline. She entered Wesley Woods on January 2, 2018 for increased care and comfort during her final days. She was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Joyce Young; and brother, Gene Clark. Dodie is survived by her husband, Charles; sons, King and wife, Barbara, David and wife, Karen, Dan Pat and wife, Cindy; grandchildren, Hunter Cook, Spencer Cook, Meredith Cook, Lexie Chapman, and Hannah Cook; and sister, Gwen Stevens. Dodie will always be remembered as a Mom, Grandmother and Wife that 'Exceeded Expectations' in all phases of her life!