Dr. Martha Jane Cook

Age 96, of East Sparta, passed away Tuesday, October 18, 2022. She was born February 23, 1926 in Canton, a daughter of the late Harry and Flossie (Haynam) Barber, was raised on Waynesburg Drive near Waco, and then resided on the family farm near East Sparta most of her life.   Martha was a 1943 graduate of Canton Township High School, 1947 graduate of The Ohio State University, with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education, 1962 graduate of Kent State University with a Master's Degree in Guidance Counseling, and a 1979 graduate of Akron University with a PHD in Education.  Her seventy-year teaching career of over 10,000 students taught, including from first grade to college seniors, began at Fairhope Elementary in the Louisville School District, and included Sandy Valley High School, Canton South High School, and Malone University.  She was a member of East Sparta Christian Church and the Pike and Pomona Granges.

Martha grew up in an athletic family and started playing table tennis at age five on the kitchen table, and was still playing at 95.  In 2003 she won both the singles and doubles Senior Olympics State Championship and finished seventh at the National Senior Olympics in her age group.  She played twenty years in the Canton City Volleyball League and was on the Championship Team numerous times. For all her level of excellence and accomplishments in education, sports and service to others, she was honored by induction into the Stark County Women's Hall of Fame in 1991.  Martha also was honored in 1974 by receiving the Dwight W. Arnold Award as the Outstanding Guidance Counselor by the Ohio School Counselors Association, Stark County Educator of the Year in 2001, and Canton South Hall of Distinction in 2022. Martha published three books on: "Grammar Toward Professionalism." She was asked once what makes you angry, and her answer was, "Incorrect grammar."

As a small example of the influence Martha had on her students from Sandy Valley are the following samples: John Bankert, President of the Professional Football Hall of Fame, wrote to Mrs. Cook on the occasion of her induction into the Stark County Women's Hall of Fame, that he typed the letter himself and checked punctuation several times before it was mailed; and Spencer Gordon of this funeral home, has told Mrs. Cook for many years, that he writes every obituary and punctuates it as if she is going to grade it.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 69 years, Marvin L. Cook, on Jan. 14, 2019, her son, Mark D. Cook, on Oct. 27, 2021, and six sisters and brothers, Dorothy, Thelma, Ruth, Paul, Robert, and Alvin.  Martha is survived by her daughter-in-law, Terri Cook, four grandchildren and one great-granddaughter, Rachel, Tyler, Morgan, and Ryan (Andrea) Cook, and their daughter, Celine Charlotte "Triple C", and one sister, Donna Jean Furney.

Services will be held Monday at 11 a.m. in East Sparta Christian Church with Tim Carlson officiating.  Friends may call Sunday 2-5 p.m. at the Finefrock-Gordon Funeral Home in Magnolia and Monday 10-11 a.m. at the church before the service.  Interment will be in Melscheimer Cemetery.  NO FLOWERS PLEASE, Contributions may be made to East Sparta Christian Church, PO Box 476, East Sparta, OH 44626.  Condolences may be sent to: www.gordonfuneralhomes.com

Gordon (330) 866-9425