Sylvia "Aileen" Cook

Sylvia Aileen Cook, daughter of Jessie and Lottie (McCormack) Hargus, was born July 31, 1920, in Seymour, Missouri, and passed away peacefully on October 16, 2022, in her home near Seymour at the age of 102 years, 2 months, and 5 days.

On November 20, 1945, she was united in marriage to John Clyde Cook. They shared 64 years together before his passing on December 12, 2009. She was also preceded in death by her parents, brother, Elza Hargus, three sisters, Helen Butts Haynes, Freda Fisher, and Leota Clontz Crocker, niece, Judy Anderson, nephew, Jerry Clontz, and several great nieces and nephews.

Aileen is survived by her nephews, Larry Hargus, Gregg Butts, Richard Fisher, Mike Hargus, Dennis Clontz, Gary Fisher, and many close friends including Amish friends and neighbors.

She was born, raised, and lived all her life in Seymour. She was a graduate of Seymour High School in the Class of 1938 along with her sister, Helen. Both attended college at State Teachers College in Springfield (now Missouri State University) where she received a Master’s Degree in Elementary Education. She began her 44-year teaching career in one room schoolhouses, in the Seymour School District which included Alberta, Mountain Dale, and Gentry. In 1961, she started her first year at Seymour Elementary and taught third grade for 27 years before retiring in 1988. She loved all children and she especially enjoyed teaching third graders.

Aileen made a profession of faith in Christ at a young age and was a member of Seymour First Baptist Church. She was active in her faith and lived it out each day of her life.

She loved her farm life, especially with John. She helped haul hay out of the field and then go to the kitchen and fix supper for all the workers. She enjoyed raising animals for many years.

After retiring, she enjoyed traveling and writing history books, particularly about all the orchards in the area. She was a member of a book club at the library and was active in the Seymour History Museum.

Aileen was a devoted wife, sister, aunt, dedicated educator, and a caring neighbor and friend. She lived a long full life, and her memory never failed her. She was always kind with never a cross word about anyone, and no one ever heard a negative word said by anyone against Aileen.

Thank you, Aileen, for your loving, nurturing, and compassion while educating the children in the Seymour community. You touched and made a difference in thousands of young lives, and we are forever grateful.