Elizabeth Joan Bell Cook

Elizabeth Joan (pronounced Joann) Cook, 93, of Victoria, TX, passed away peacefully on Monday, July 13, 2026. She was born on May 31, 1933, at home in Gainesville, TX, to the late Jack Keith Bell, Sr. and Zola Tippit Bell.

Joan(n) lived a wonderful life. Raised in Gainesville, she graduated from Gainesville High in 1950. She married Edward Duane Cook, Sr. in 1952, and they had many years together to raise their family.

Joan(n) pursued her education, earning a Bachelor’s in Education from North Texas State University in 1954. Her first teaching position was as a physical education instructor in Dallas. In 1968, she and Duane moved their family to Victoria, Texas. She began teaching at Hopkins Elementary School in the 1970s before returning to school to earn a degree in Library Science, becoming a school librarian. In the 1980s, she obtained her real estate and broker licenses and became a co-owner at Coldwell Banker Duane Cook & Associates. Throughout these years she also dedicated 17 years to teaching Sunday School at First United Methodist Church in Victoria.

In the 1990s, Joan(n) moved to North Texas, returned to her work as a librarian, and retired at the age of 70. In retirement she visited all her children regularly. She loved to read, encouraged her grand and great-grandchildren to be artists, to know Jesus and the voice of the Holy Spirit. She loved plants and enjoyed traveling. On one visit to a Cancun golf course, she made a memorable hole-in-one. She also traveled to the Great Wall of China, Austria, London, Italy, and Israel to name just a few.

Joan(n) is survived by her 5 children: Joy Cook of Victoria, Ed (Debra) Cook of Denton, Chris (Betsy) Cook of Gordonville, Gay (Gary) Patek of Victoria, and April (Scott) Jenkins of McKinney; 12 grandchildren: Amy Kaddatz, Jacob Patek, Rachel Blinka, Kelly Mercado, Joel Cook, Cameron Cook, Amanda Leggett, Kate Bost, Luke Jenkins, Lizzy Kilimann, Jason Jenkins, and Ashley Brumleve; and 29 great-grandchildren with one on the way. She was preceded in death by her parents, brothers Jack Bell, Jr. and Don Bell, and grandson Trevor John Cook. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers are Mrs. Cook’s grandsons: Jacob Patek, Cameron Cook, Joel Cook, Luke Jenkins, Jason Jenkins, and great-grandson Bentley Blinka.

The family wishes to extend many thanks to Hospice of South Texas Dornburg Center and the staff at Sodalis. If you would like to make a gift in Mrs. Cook’s name, the family suggests Bridges for Peace or a charity of your choice.

Seek the Lord while He may be found; call on Him while He is near. -Isaiah 55:6

Services will be Saturday, July 18, 2026, at Geo. J. Carroll & Son Funeral home in Gainesville, TX. The family will begin receiving friends at 2:00 p.m. and a funeral service will begin at 2:30 p.m. A committal service will immediately follow at Fairview Cemetery, Gainesville.