Connie Kathryn (Davis) Cook of Hot Springs, Arkansas, formerly of Newport, departed this life on Tuesday, February 18, 2025, at the age of 77. She was born May 30, 1947, in Newport, the daughter of Billy Bob Davis and Sarah Ellen (Owens) Davis Morgan.
Ms. Cook was a 1965 graduate of Newport High School. Following graduation, she attended Hendrix College, earning her bachelor’s degree in Arts, and later obtained her master’s in History from Ouachita Baptist University. She began teaching History at Gurdon Public School and at Heber Spring right out of college. After teaching, she owned and operated Howell Printers and Paper N Ink Stationary Store. Ms. Cook was an active and devoted member of First United Methodist Church in Hot Springs.
Ms. Cook had a caring heart and used that trait as a one-time board member of Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA), always having the children’s best interest in mind. She was an avid reader and enjoyed playing bridge, cooking, gardening, and canning. She also loved going on trips, especially to snow ski. Ms. Cook’s greatest joy in life was spending time with her sons and grandchildren, and she always cherished attending all of their sporting events.
Ms. Cook is preceded in death by her parents.
She is survived by two sons, Jay Cook and wife, Jennifer, of Cabot and William Edward Cook of Hot Springs; a sister, Bobbye Ellen Davis Gibbs and husband, Gray, of St. Petersburg, Florida; four grandchildren, Abigail Rylie Cook, Jaycie Cameron Cook, Jenna Kathryn Cook, and Jayda Rae Cook; niece and nephew, Lindley Wisnewki and husband, Jason, and Shea Gibbs and wife, Chloe; six great nieces and nephews; and a lifetime of friends.
Shea Gibbs is honored to serve as pallbearer. Honorary pallbearers are the Newport Class of 1965 and the members of her Hot Springs Birthday Club.
Friends may visit Jackson’s Newport Funeral Home Chapel on Wednesday, February 26, 2025, beginning at 12:30 p.m. Following visitation, funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m., with Rev. Kelly Giese officiating. Interment will be in Walnut Grove Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the National Breast Cancer Foundation at P.O. Box 676910, Dallas, TX 75267 and the American Diabetes Association at P.O. Box 7023, Merrifield, VA 22116.
Arrangements by Jackson’s Newport Funeral Home.
