Submitted by
Vicki Ebert

Fay Paisley Cook

Rovena Fay (Paisley) Cook, lifelong Ponca City area resident, died Tuesday afternoon, Jan. 28, 1997, at the St. Joseph Regional Medical Center. She was 85.
A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, Jan. 31, 1997, at the First Presbyterian Church with the Rev. David Clipson, associate pastor, officiating. At her request, Mrs. Cook donated her body to the OU Health Science Center for research and education. Arrangements are under the direction of Grace Memorial Chapel.
Rovena Fay (Paisley) Cook was born Oct. 15, 1911, south of Ponca City in the Sunnyside Community. She was the oldest of six children born to Ursa Rankin and Allie (Romary) Paisley. E.W. Marland's first oil field was just a few miles from her home and she grew up there during his exciting oil boom days. As a child Fay was a frequent visitor to the 101 Ranch and attended rural schools in the Marland area. She later attended Ponca City Business School.
She was married to O.Z. Cook on Feb. 26, 1936, in the Presbyterian Manse in Wellington, Kan. He preceded her in death in 1956. Fay had been involved in business for more than 52 years in the downtown area, first as a saleswoman for Holt's Ready-To-Wear, then as a shopkeeper in her own business - Faye's Fashions - for 30 years.
Always an avid community volunteer and advocate, Fay donated more than 65 years of community service to numerous local city, civic, lodge, and religious activities. She was a charter member of several organizations and had served on the board of directors for Camp Fire, Red Cross, Adult Handicap Club, as president or in other office in the Pioneer Historical Society, Ponca City Art Association, Community Concert Association, Pioneer Genealogical Society, Helpline, Lilac Garden Club, Gardenia Garden Club, Council of Ponca City Garden Clubs, Daughters of the American Revolution, American Legion Auxiliary, Credit Women International, Business and Professional Women's Club, and Soroptimist International. She held lifetime memberships in several of these organizations. In later years she was also active in RSVP and the American Association of Retired Persons and the 55 and Older Club.
Fay became active in the First Presbyterian Church at early age by sponsoring young people. Over the years she served as deacon and elder; member of the Oxford Bible Class, president of the Presbyterian Women's Association, Westminster Guild, and Church Women United, and moderator of the Women's Association of Cimarron Presbytery. She was a founding member of the Mariners Group and rode the church van each Sunday to help assist senior citizens.
Active in political issues, she was proud to have cast her vote for E.W. Marland as Dist. 8 State Representative in 1932, and later as Governor. She was a member of the League of Women Voters, Ponca City Democrat Club, Pioneer Area Democrat Women's Club, Oklahoma Democrat Women's Club and was organizing chairman of the Young Democrats of Kay County.
Her Masonic activities included Past Worthy Matron of Eastern Star, Past Worthy High Priestess of the White Shrine of Jerusalem and Past Royal Matron of the Order of the Amaranth. She had served as delegate at the Grand Court in British Columbia. She also sponsored and worked with the Rainbow Girls and Demolay. and, earned the Grand Cross of Colors for Rainbow Girls.
In May 1981, Fay was awarded the "Volunteer of the Year" award by the Ponca City Chamber of Commerce. In 1984 she was nominated by Soroptimist International for the Women's Hall of Fame award sponsored by Governor George Nigh. She was also selected as "Outstanding Woman of the Year," by that group and her name was added to the Soroptimist "Women of Distinction" Hall of Fame in Washington, D.C.
Fay began serving as one of the first tour guides at the Marland Mansion and continued through the years, adding her own special remembrances of the Marland's she had known. She was a familiar face at local businesses each year as she rang the Salvation Army bells and at the local Red Cross, where she manned the telephones, calling for donor appointments.
Quoted in a story in the March 1989 issue of the Ponca City News, she said, "Ponca City is my whole life. I love it ... "
Surviving brothers include Arthur R. Paisley of Rotterdam, Holland and Clarence Paisley of Oklahoma City; a half-brother, Fred Paisley of Greensboro, N.C.; two sisters, Flora Gordin of Orlando, Fla., and Dorothy Jean Sellars of Bartlesville; one sister-in-law, Anna Belle Cook Ewy of Ponca City; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, parents; one sister, Joy Parker; and two brothers, James Robert Paisley and Jimmy Wayne Paisley.
Honorary casket bearers will be members of the Order of Eastern Star and Masonic Lodge 83 AM&FM.
Memorial contributions may be made in Mrs. Cook's name to the First Presbyterian Church Youth Missions, P.O. Box 1442, Ponca City, OK 74604