Beverly Cook

Beverly Groves Cook, 60 of Gastonia, passed away on Friday February 15th surrounded by her family at the Testa Family Hospice House located in Kings Mountain. On January 16th of 2019 she was taken to the emergency room of CMC Main after exhibiting health complications. Within hours, she was rushed into emergency brain surgery after an MRI revealed an immense tumor, described as "aggressive and vicious." After being informed of her situation, that she was stricken with the most rapidly lethal form of cancer, her fight for and love of life, along with her love for her family, never left her heart or mind. Beverly remained steadfast and resolved to rid herself of the affliction. Her strength never waivered. As Beverly's family surrounded her in effort to provide comforting solace after the tumor's sudden regrowth, no tears escaped her eyes, no words of fear escaped her lips, with her precious remaining time, she chose to comfort, care, and love those with worry and grief for her. Beverly's final days on Earth were spent checking and rechecking to make sure her family would not be in danger without her. And though the people who knew and loved her as mother, sister, aunt, cousin or friend will never be the same without her, they may carry on her impeccably good nature and spirt by trying to emulate her compassion.

Beverly was a mother of two, a sister to six, and a teacher for thousands. After an accomplished career in automotive engineering, she mothered children and rejoiced in the wonderment of sharing the truly meaningful aspects of life that transcend generations and time. She ecstatically shared with her confidants, brothers, sisters, father, and mother. Upon completing her Masters of Library Sciences from East Carolina University (having earned an undergrad from Belmont Abbey and graduating suma cum laude), she worked for Gaston County Public Schools. Beverly spent the vast majority of her time as an educator at J.B. Page Elementary in Belmont. Here, she made a lastingly impactful and sincerely significant impression on the minds and hearts of children. Subsequently, her students with older brothers and sisters, that were privy to her library, would ease their younger siblings' troubles by saying Ms. Cook is nice. Year after year, boys and girls would find themselves in a place of propelled discovery under her tutelage. She unquestionably provided an environment for the most vulnerable of our community to grow. Often she would return home to her sons, candidly delighted in recounting her day spent encouraging emerging thinkers to expand their horizons. At home, Beverly's desire to see the world flourish and be nurtured into a caringly enhanced state, is reflected greatly in her garden. A great deal of her free time was spent beautifying her yard with the flora that personally charmed her aesthetic. Beverly also populated her flowerbeds with vegetation that allowed her to reminisce about her time with her family as a little girl where she first fell in love with the ineffable elegance of flowers.

Beverly is preceded by father and mother Cliff and Gertrude Groves; sister Mary Cape; brothers, George W. Morgan and Bill Groves. She is survived by her sons Drew and Chris Cook. Sister, Marie Allen of Rock Hill, brother, Lee and Lisa Groves of Dallas, sister, Frances and Larry Scott of Kings Mountain, and brother, Charles Groves of Bessemer City.

Receiving of friends for Beverly Cook's memorial will be held at Sisk Butler Funeral Home in Bessemer City on Wednesday February 20, 2019 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Her formal service will be held at Grace Lutheran Church in Bessemer City on Thursday February 21, 2019, starting with visitation at 10:00 a.m. and with traditional Lutheran funeral service beginning at 11:00 a.m.

A special thanks must be recognized and extended to the medical professionals at Riverwood Medical Associates, The Carolinas HealthCare System (CMC Main), Carolinas Rehabilitation, and The Testa Family Hospice House for providing excellent care and attention to Beverly's wellbeing and to her kinship during her final days on Earth. Additionally, Beverly's family would like to praise her colleagues, associates, and friends from the Gaston County School System who understood her to be a foundational pillar and professionally consummate ally in all endeavors difficult. To all of Beverly's family and friends that gave her life joy and meaning, through good and trying times, genuine gratitude is shown to you.