Virginia May Cook

Virginia "Ginny" May Cook, 80, of Olathe, Kansas, passed away on Wednesday, July 28, 2021. She was born on August 13, 1940 in Ottumwa, Iowa to David and Marjorie (Brower) Link.

Ginny grew up in Ottumwa, Iowa with her parents and older brother, David, and later younger brother Stephen. She enjoyed their life on Quincy Avenue in Ottumwa, IA. Ginny attended Ottumwa High School where she met the love of her life, Royce, during her junior year in high school. They enjoyed high school life by attending ball games, church activities, and family activities. Upon graduation from high school, Royce and Ginny attended Northeast Missouri State Teacher's College (now Truman State University) in Kirksville, MO . Ginny had known from a young age that she wanted to be an American History teacher. She worked diligently to graduate in 3 years and 2 summers. While in college, Royce and Ginny became engaged to be married. Upon graduation from Northeast Missouri State Teacher's College, Ginny took her first teaching position in LaPlata, MO. After Royce graduated, Royce and Ginny were married in 1961 in Ottumwa, IA. Royce and Ginny moved to various cities during the first five years of their marriage and deeply enjoyed their life together. While Royce and Ginny lived in Waynesville, MO their two children, Lisa and Scott were born. The young family moved to Springfield, MO for 7 years where they were highly involved in First Baptist Church and made lifelong friends. Royce and Ginny moved with their children to Kirksville, MO in 1974. Ginny worked in a preschool, elementary school, and later took a position as an American history teacher at Kirksville Senior High School. Ginny enjoyed teaching American history in Kirksville for 20 years. Upon retirement, Royce and Ginny moved to Overland Park, KS. Royce and Ginny enjoyed their retirement by volunteering for the National Parks in Virginia, West Virginia, and the Grand Canyon for 9 years. Later, they volunteered with St. Luke's South gift shop, Meals on Wheels, the Salvation Army Outpost at College Church of the Nazarene, Johnson County Library, and the Johnson County Election Office. Ginny was involved with the Prayer Shawl Ministry, the church choir, and Sunday School at College Church of the Nazarene.

Ginny is survived by her loving husband of 60 years, Royce Cook; children, Lisa (Jeff) Thompson and Scott (Kathy) Cook; grandsons, David (Rachel) Cook, Grant Thompson; brother, Stephen (Dianna) Link; cousin, Bill Link.

She is preceded in death by her parents and brother, David Link.

Her family will receive guests for a visitation from 5:00pm to 7:00pm on Wednesday, August 4, 2021 at Penwell Gabel's Olathe Chapel. The funeral service will be at 11:00am on Thursday, at College Church of the Nazarene - Main Sanctuary.

The family requests that contributions in Ginny's memory be made to the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association or Campus Crusade for Christ.




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