Martha B. Cook

Martha Elizabeth Blankenship Cook, 86, passed away at her home, Friday, October 14, 2016. Mrs. Cook was born March 29, 1930 to the late John Luther and Ruby Mae Blankenship. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 54 years, Charles Porter Cook, a son, Ronnie Cook and three brothers, Frank, Bud and Bruce. Martha was known to many as "Sissy". Martha is survived by her children, Tommy Cook (Cathy) and Kevin Hamlin (Bill); her grandchildren, Kimberly Hipps (Mike), April Sandefor (Mike) and Stacey Cook and by her great grandchildren, Branson and his brother Austin Hipps, Josh and his sister, Morgan Hawkins. She has several nieces and nephews, cousins and many loving Cook family members. Mrs. Cook was a lifelong resident of Buncombe County and grew up on the Biltmore Estate where her father worked. She loved living in the mountains of WNC. She was a loving wife, honest mother and will always be remembered as "Memaw" by the grandkids she loved so much. She was a homemaker and spent many summers traveling with her husband. After Charles retired she enjoyed reading, sewing and loved to ride along the Blue Ridge Parkway. Martha enjoyed gardening, music and most of all the love and time she shared with her family. She will be deeply missed by all! A funeral service will be held at 2:00 Monday in the chapel of Groce Funeral Home at Lake Julian. Chaplain Brian K. Williams will officiate. Interment will follow in Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Enka. The family will receive friends from 1:00 until 2:00 Monday at the funeral home.