Obituaries:  Pearl Estelle Lilley Cook Pugh, Sabine Parish       P-200
Source:  Sabine Index, Many, La., Feb 19, 2003
Submitted by: Carl Dilbeck
              carlrad@earthlink.net




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Pearl Estelle Lilley Cook Pugh (Photo)

  Pearl Estelle Lilley Cook Pugh went to be with the Lord on
Sunday, Feb. 16, 2003, following a brief illness. A lifetime
resident of Sabine Parish, Pearl was born on May 4, 1905, the
oldest of 10 children. She lived 97 glorious years at the same
home place where she was raised in Florien.

  Pearl attended Toro Grammar School as a child, and graduated
from Florien High School. She received a teaching certificate
from the Louisiana State Normal School, and began teaching in a
one room schoolhouse called the Bay Springs School near
Natchitoches, when she was only 16 years old. She received her
Bachelor's degree later from Northwestern State University, and
her Master's degree in education from Stephen F. Austin
University. Most of her career was spent educating children in
Sabine Parish, where she taught until retirement. Her greatest
testament to living, however, was not that of a teacher, but that
of a devout Christian. She was a steadfast member of the First
Baptist Church of Florien, and though her health prohibited her
from attending services in her later years, Pearl never stopped
worshipping. She sang hymns from the heart, quoted scripture by
memory, and looked forward to spending eternity in Heaven.

  Pearl was preceded in death by her parents, James E. "Jim" and
Lela Lilley; two brothers, Fred and Ernest Lilley; two sisters,
Louretta Ricks, and Mary McCormick; her first husband of 51
years, Harvey Cook; and her second husband, John Pugh.

  She is survived by five sisters, Naomi Slater of Many; Ruth
Barnett of Austin, Texas, Jimmy Lee Blades, and Marlene Waters,
both of Lindale, Texas, and Elaine Roberts of Bandera, Texas. She
is also survived by her four children, Dan Cook of Sugarland,
Texas, Gerald Cook of Brenham, Texas, Lela Novak of Converse, and
Neva Nicholas of Shreveport. Her legacy also remains alive in 15
grandchildren; and 23 great grandchildren.

  Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 19, at
the First Baptist Church in Florien, with graveside ceremonies
immediately following.

  We thank God for allowing her to bless our lives for so many
wonderful years. She was our sister, our mother, our grandmother,
our Ma, and she will forever live in our hearts, until we meet
again in Glory. Psalm 23.

  Warren Meadows, Many, La.