Deanna Lou (Medley) Cook was born to W. Dean and Erma Lee (McCurry) Medley in Tin town, MO; the youngest of three children, on January 13, 1948.  She went home to be with her Lord and Savior peacefully in her home on Friday, December 15, 2023; she was 75 years old.  She was continuously surrounded by family and friends in her last days, recalling many fond memories of her life and sharing stories with her grandsons.

          She attended school at Pleasant Hope.  In high school, she was a basketball cheerleader, band member, and sang in the school choir.  In 1962, she met Ronnie Cook after he started attending Pleasant Hope High School from Bolivar.  On February 19, 1965, they were married by Rev. Garland Pool at his home in Bolivar, they had one son, Brian Cook.

            They farmed and operated Cook’s Dairy for 42 years, where they have lived since 1967.  In the early years of their marriage, Deanna worked at her mother’s purse shop in Tin town while also taking on the duties of milking on the farm.  In the early 2000’s, Ronnie and Deanna began riding Goldwing motorcycles for enjoyment and belonged to a local riding group out of Springfield (GWRRA).  They traveled all over the country, making memories and taking lots of pictures of their adventures.  Deanna’s fondest memories of this time were the close friends they met that shared the same love for adventure and exploring winding roads.  In 2007, they sold the Holsteins and stayed on the farm and raised beef cattle. 

          Deanna loved spending time with her grandsons and enjoyed watching them play school sports.  She was the “official” scorekeeper by not only keeping track of scores, but the boys’ statistics as well.  Often Grandma Cook would be asked to recall various facts about games and was always able to pull those out of her purse in an instant and could easily recall each play, no matter what sport.  She became a great grandma in 2021 and enjoyed holding the babies and watching them grow.

          Deanna enjoyed the simple things in life; from red roses to newborn baby calves; she could always find the little joys and would express how important it was to enjoy every minute and cherish the memories with family.  Deanna loved taking pictures and had numerous photo albums and frames throughout her home.  She could tell a story about each picture and was so proud to share her memories with others.

          Deanna was saved by grace in August 1968, and joined Rock Prairie Missionary Baptist Church in 1970, and remained a member.  She loved playing the piano and singing, “I Will Not Be a Stranger” for anyone who would ask her to.  The Covid pandemic and health problems kept her from going and enjoying church services.

          She was preceded in death by her parents and brother, W. Dennis Medley.  She is survived by her husband Ronnie of 58 years, one son, Brian Cook (Deanna) of Bolivar, MO; two grandsons: Garretson Cook of Bolivar, MO, and Jackson Abdon (Heather) of Buffalo, MO; two great grandchildren: Harper and Jasper Abdon; a sister Linda Yoast (Bill) of Springfield, MO; a sister in-law Sonnie Medley of Springfield, MO; nephews: Denny Medley (Theresa), David Medley (Shay), Shawn Yoast (Melinda), Shane Yoast (Bambi), and Shannon Yoast (Emily); a niece Donna Medley Prince (Roy), and all of their families; as well as numerous other relatives and friends.

          A visitation will be held Wednesday, December 20, 2023, from 5:00 to 7:00 pm at Pitts Chapel.  Funeral services will take place at 11:00 am Thursday, December 21, 2023, in the funeral home, with Bro.’s Doyle Mayfield and Dewayne Burdette officiating.  Burial will follow at Rock Prairie Cemetery Pleasant Hope, MO.  Online condolences may be made at: www.greenlawnfuneralhome.com.  Arrangements have been entrusted to Pitts Chapel Bolivar, MO.