Mary Ann B. Cook

   Mary Ann Brazell Cook, 81, of Beaufort, SC, died peacefully on July 6, 2025. Born in LaFayette, AL, she was the only child of Luke Hubert Brazell and Imogene Brazell of Dadeville, AL.

Mary Ann graduated from Lanett High School in 1961, where she was proud to be the first Drum Major of the LHS Marching Panther Band. She went on to complete business studies in 1963 at A. B. Draughon College in Birmingham, AL. After completion of her studies, she returned to Lanett and married her high school sweetheart, Charles Ronald Cook, in September 1963. In September 1964, she gave birth to their only child, Charles H. (“Chuck”) Cook.

In 1972, Mary Ann and family relocated back to the Lanett area where she later served both as a Clerk in the Chambers County Probate Office and as Judicial Assistant to the Circuit Judges of Alabama’s 5th Judicial Circuit until her retirement in December 2006 – marking nearly 30 years of service to the county and state. It was never a job to her…it was her vocation. Her coworkers were her family to her.

In retirement, Mary Ann enjoyed travel adventures with many of her friends as long as her health allowed. She was an avid bridge player for many years and shared this interest with friends as well. Mary Ann never met a stranger; and if she met you, she wanted to really get to know you. If you knew her as “Mae” or “Mae Mae,” then you were practically family to her.

When she moved to Beaufort, SC, in 2018 to be closer to her son in her later years, she never let distance completely separate her from friends and extended family. She loved keeping in touch with everyone “back home.” As much as she loved the beauty and nature in the Lowcountry, there was no place like home for her.

She was predeceased by her husband, Charles, and her only grandchild, Christopher Aaron Cook of Athens, GA. She is survived by her son Chuck and his wife Margaret of St. Helena Island, SC and her great grandchild Charles Spencer Cook of Chamblee, GA.

Mary Ann’s final wishes were that she be cremated and placed beside her beloved husband Charles in Harmony Memorial Park (formerly Resthaven). A graveside service, followed by a celebration of life will be scheduled in the fall.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Tunnels to Towers Foundation (www.t2t.org) in support of our nation’s Gold Star and fallen first responder families, as well as catastrophically injured veterans and first responders.

Copeland Funeral Service is assisting the Cook family with arrangements.