Funeral services celebrating the life of Anabel Smith Cooke, age 95 of Carthage, Texas will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 1, 2007 at Jimerson-Lipsey Funeral Home Chapel in Carthage with Dr. William Everett and Dr. Charles Dodson officiating. Interment will follow in Restland Memorial Park near Carthage. The family received friends from 5-7 p.m. on Friday evening at the funeral home. Mrs. Cooke passed away on Thursday, August 30, 2007 in Carthage.

Anabel Smith Cooke, a lifelong resident of Panola County, was born on September 21, 1911 to John Smith and Lela Poss Smith. She was reared in the Antioch Community near Carthage and graduated from Carthage High School in May of 1931. She married Jack V. Cooke on August 9, 1933 in Carthage where he worked as a banker and later owned the EXXON Distributorship as well as Cooke and Smith Service Stations. Together they celebrated more than 53 years of marriage before he preceded her in death on August 30, 1986. Mrs. Cooke began her career working at Hawthorn Dry Goods. She later worked at Carthage Furniture Company, M & M Toggery, and Cox Jewelry for many years. She was a loyal and dedicated employee.

Mrs. Cooke was a longtime active member of Central Baptist Church in Carthage. She was also a faithful member of her Sunday school class. She was very active in the East Texas Ladies Golf Association, playing in tournaments throughout East Texas and Louisiana, which brought her much enjoyment. She was very devoted to her family as well as a friend to all who knew her.

Mrs. Cooke was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, two sisters, Mrs. Reba Owens and Mrs. Hazel Knight; and four brothers, Sid Smith, L. D. Smith, Eddie C. Smith, and Clifford Smith.

She is survived by one son, John William Cooke, II and his wife Walta Nell Pippen Cooke; two grandchildren, Cheryl Pippen Cooke Williams and John William Cooke III and his wife Tonya Melton Cooke; three great-grandchildren, Catherine Marie Williams Farmer, Jessica Leigh Williams Pace and her husband Michael Pace, and Ali Ann Jones; and one great-great-grandson, Bryce Burton Farmer. She is also survived by three nieces, Mrs. Kay Bedenbaugh, Mrs. Samie Bullard, and Mrs. Martha Mefford; and one nephew, Craig Smith;

The family would like to express their sincere appreciation to her caregivers, Shirley Wilson, Carolyn Davis, and Olean Luman. Special acknowledgement needs to be given to her physician Dr. Keith Keeling and the staff at Briarcliff Healthcare Center.

Pallbearers will be John K. Cain, Larry Davis, Phillip Grimes, Earle Powell, Cole Roberts, and Robert Wilson. Honorary pallbearers will be Neal A. Hawthorn, Dr. Keith Keeling, Dr. W. C. Smith, and Dr. Arlen Sturdivant.

If desired, memorials may be made to Central Baptist Church Organ Fund, 220 West Sabine Street, Carthage, Texas 75633.

A guestbook may be signed online at www.jimerson-lipsey.com.