A Brighton native and resident for seventy-eight years, Persis Cook died Tuesday, October 4, 1983, in Clearwater, Florida, where she had been living since retiring from her second teaching career in 1968. She was 93 years old.
Miss Cook was born March 11, 1890, the only child of Wallace G. and Belle (Russell) Cook. (The Colt Park Insurance Agency, Main Street, is located on the site of a house built by her father. This house has been moved to North First Street, just beyond the new building housing the Police Department. He had a small shop the second door east of Hyne Street, on the North side of Main, from which he sold some groceries, candy, etc.)
After graduating from Brighton High School in 1909 and Ypsilanti Teaching College (now Eastern Michigan University) in 1912, Persis began a 30-year teaching career at elementary schools in Brighton Mason and Petoskey, Michigan.
She retired in 1943 to care for her aged and widowed mother, who at that time, lived on Washington in Brighton. After her mothers passing, she attended Wayne State University and in 1947 began her second teaching career at the Oakland County Home for Juvenile Delinquents in Pontiac, Michigan.
A member of the Les Amies Club which met regularly for bridge, her name is linked to other early 20th century residents of the area. Fae Berkenstock, Sylvia Bitten, Haidee Brady, Ruth Carter, Hazel Phillips, Geneva Pitkin, Mae Rolison, Mary Ross, Mary Snow and Angie Weeks are a few that quickly come to mind. (It is hoped our readers can complete the list.)
In Clearwater, Florida, Persis was an active volunteer for the Red Cross, a remedial reading program and a member of the Skycrest Baptist Church.
Graveside services were conducted October 8, 1983, at the Fairview Cemetery in Brighton, with the Rev. Wm. E. Brown of the First Presbyterian Church officiating.