Lola Cook

October 12, 1943 – October 20, 2026
Lola Goff Cook could accomplish more in ten minutes than most people manage in a day, and she spent nearly every one of those minutes serving others. She passed away peacefully on October 20, 2026, in Provo, Utah, at the age of 83, surrounded by the family she loved so fiercely.

Lola was born October 12, 1943, in Houston, Texas, to William Homer Goff and Mary Jane Merrell. A proud Houstonian through and through, she cherished her siblings: her older brother, Fred; her younger brother, Wayne Jr.; and her beloved twin sister, Louise. Spunky, determined, and every bit the gracious Southern belle, Lola displayed from an early age the grit, discipline, and warmth that would define her life.
At age twelve, she became the pianist for her local branch simply because no one else could play the hymns. Those early Sundays brought more than a few tears, but with encouragement from loving branch members, that nervous young girl grew into a gifted pianist and organist who would bless congregations for the rest of her life. At The Kinkaid School (Houston), she immersed herself in extracurricular activities, especially volleyball and basketball, graduating in 1961.

After attending Brigham Young University for two years, Lola became engaged and transferred to the University of Utah. Leaving BYU was hard, but the reason more than made up for it: on August 16, 1963, she married Steven Reynolds Cook in the Salt Lake Temple. Steve became the love of her life, and their marriage was marked by devotion, partnership, laughter, and shared faith for more than fifty-three years before his passing.

After Lola earned her degree in education and the couple spent a few happy years in Utah, they settled in Spring, Texas, where they raised their family.

Being a mother was Lola's greatest calling, and she approached it with unmatched energy and love. Together, she and Steve raised eight children in a home that was lively, welcoming, organized, and filled with music. She cooked from scratch, sewed nearly anything imaginable, and taught lessons in good food, good manners, hard work, and Southern hospitality as naturally as she breathed.

Music flowed through every room of the house. Lola taught piano lessons to hundreds of students from her living room, sang in community choirs, accompanied countless performances, and gathered her family around the piano for evenings of singing that became treasured memories.

The influence of her motherhood extended far beyond her own family. Friends of her children often became part of the household, and many would later say that Lola changed the course of their lives. Her oldest daughter called her "Super Woman," a title few would dispute. All eight of her children were married in the temple, and five served full-time missions.

Later, Lola brought that same enthusiasm and devotion into the academic classroom. To generations of students at Klein High School, she was "Mrs. Cook," …the sophomore honors English teacher whom students approached with apprehension and left with gratitude. She demanded excellence, taught the power of language, and believed deeply in her students' potential. Decades later, many still describe her as the finest teacher they ever had.

While teaching full-time, she also taught early-morning seminary and somehow found time to earn a master's degree in education and a counseling certification from Texas A&M University, graduating with a perfect 4.0 GPA. Excellence was never something Lola pursued for recognition; it was simply how she approached life.

To her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, she was simply "Grandma Cookie," and she had an extraordinary gift for making each one feel uniquely loved. Few things brought her greater joy than holding a grandbaby in her arms while softly singing a hymn or lullaby.

When her oldest granddaughter was caring for three young children and a newborn while her husband attended medical school, Lola flew to San Antonio and stayed awake with the baby for three consecutive nights so her granddaughter could finally rest. During the day she stocked the freezer with meals and played with the children as though she had endless energy. It was the kind of rescue she performed repeatedly throughout her life for family, friends, neighbors, and anyone in need.
She faithfully wrote letters to every child and grandchild serving as a missionary, offering encouragement, counsel, and unwavering love across the miles.

Lola never stopped looking for ways to serve. After raising their family, Lola and Steve served three senior missions together: at the Manhattan New York Temple, at the Missionary Training Center working with international missionaries, and in an inner-city mission in downtown Salt Lake City. Later, she worked at the LDS Church Office Building, making friends wherever she went. She also spent two years as a flight attendant for Continental Airlines, consistently earning top marks among colleagues decades her junior.
Her faith in Jesus Christ remained the steady anchor of her life. One friend described her as having "a testimony of gold," and she shared that testimony freely and fearlessly. She served faithfully in many callings, including Relief Society President, Young Women President, organist, seminary teacher, institute teacher, Gospel Doctrine teacher, and temple preparation instructor.

Family history and temple service were among her greatest passions. Alongside Steve, she played a significant role in supporting efforts that led to the creation of the Houston Texas Temple, a place held forever close to their hearts.

In her final months at Jamestown Assisted Living in Provo, Lola's memory gradually faded, but her faith never did. Her children would often find her kneeling beside her bed, speaking aloud to Heavenly Father as naturally as one would converse with a dear friend.

Her family finds comfort in knowing she has been joyfully reunited with her beloved Steve and with so many cherished family members who preceded her in death. More than anything, Lola longed for her family to be together forever. Those who love her look forward to the glorious day when, as she often hoped and prayed, there will be no empty chairs.

Lola is survived by her eight children: Janie (Mark) Ogletree, Christy (Jodie) Watkins, Carrie (Blake) Smith, Matthew (Trista) Cook, Jennifer (Gordon) Larsen, Chip (Liz) Cook, David (Sarah) Cook, and Joseph (Angelique) Cook. She also leaves behind 41 grandchildren; 56 great-grandchildren, with six more on the way; and her beloved brother, Wayne Jr. (Sally) Viehweg.

She was preceded in death by her husband and eternal companion, Steven Reynolds Cook; her mother, Mary Jane Merrell; her father, William Homer Goff; her stepfather, Wayne Ray Viehweg; her brother, Fred Goff; and her cherished twin sister, Louise Florence.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, October 31, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at Jenkins-Soffe Mortuary, 1007 West South Jordan Parkway, South Jordan, Utah. A viewing for family and friends will be held from 9:00 to 10:30 a.m. prior to the service. Interment will follow at South Jordan Cemetery.

The family expresses heartfelt gratitude to the compassionate caregivers at Courtyard at Jamestown Memory Care and A+ Hospice. Their kindness, patience, and loving care brought comfort and dignity to Lola's final months. They will always be remembered as angels in the lives of our family.

In lieu of flowers, the family invites donations to the General Missionary Fund of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, a cause dear to Lola's heart.

Click this link to view additional details about Lola's Services,
including any available live streams: https://my.gather.app/remember/lola-cook