Evelyn McQueen Cook

Evelyn McQueen Cook of 253 N. Church Street, Mountain City, Tennessee, died on Wednesday, March 11, 2026. She was a Johnson County seventh generation McQueen, daughter of the late Marcus McQueen and Myrtle Gentry McQueen.

Mrs. Cook earned a B.A. in English from Berea College and an M.S. in Administration and Supervision from the University of Tennessee.

She was a member of First United Methodist Church, serving at various times as a Lay Leader, Sunday School teacher, and chair of the Pastor –Parrish Committee. She served as president of the Wednesday Music Club, the Democratic Women’s Committee of Johnson County, and the Heritage Hall Board of Directors. She was a past member of Phi Delta Kappa, Delta Kappa Gamma, and Gamma Mu.

Mrs. Cook taught high school English at Johnson County High School and George C. Marshall High School in Ankara, Turkey. She served as Deputy Director of the Pre-Discharge Education Program for American servicemen and servicewomen in Europe, She was the first Secondary School Supervisor in Johnson County.

Mrs. Cook co-chaired the Johnson County Bicentennial Committee for the state of Tennessee and worked assiduously for Mountain City downtown revitalization, with particular interest in restoring the old high school auditorium.

Mrs. Cook was a strong advocate for the arts with particular interest in offering opportunities for young people to perform or enjoy drama and music. She was an avid supporter of Barter Theatre, as a member both of the Porterfield Society and of the Barter Board of Trustees. She was an integral part of The Johnson County Center for the Arts, Long Journey Home, and the Junior Appalachian Musicians (JAM) program.

She is survived by her daughter, Stephanie L. Cook ( and her husband, Dr. Masaru Okabe), grandson, Kye L. Okabe, and numerous relatives and friends.

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 P.M. on Saturday, March 14, 2026 at First United Methodist Church.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to the Johnson County E.M.S and Rescue Squad, 203 Paul Anderson Way, Mountain City, Tennessee, 37683.

Condolences may be sent to the family through our website at www.mountaincityfh.com.

The family of Evelyn McQueen Cook has entrusted her care to Mountain City Funeral Home, 224 S. Church Street, Mountain City, TN 37683.