Former Butler native, Mary Beth Cook, 70, passed away unexpectedly at her home in Eatonton, Ga., on Sunday, April 23, 2023.

She was born on Christmas Day 1952, in Butler, and was the daughter of the late James and Thelma (Laughlin) Cook.

Upon graduating from Knoch High School in 1970, she enrolled in the nursing program at Indiana University of Pennsylvania, and she graduated with a Bachelor of Science in nursing. She was first employed at Armstrong County Memorial Hospital in the labor and delivery unit before relocating to Salt Lake City, Utah, where she continued her nursing career.

In May 1980, she obtained her OB-GYN nurse practitioner degree from the University of Arizona and began working for Planned Parenthood of Southern Nevada, then later at St. Rose de Lima Hospital in Henderson, Nev.

In the mid-1980s, she chose a new career path and obtained her Nevada court reporting certificate. Mary Beth began her court reporting career with Laurie Webb & Associates, Las Vegas, Nev., and she also worked as an official court reporter for various federal and state courts in Southern Nevada.

In 2002, she embarked on yet another journey, one which took her to Cedar City, Utah, where she owned and operated the Stratford Bed & Breakfast for about 14 years. Throughout this time, she continued to do freelance court reporting. Drawing on her nursing background, she specialized in medical depositions and took great pride in her completed transcripts.

Mary Beth relocated to Lake Sinclair, Ga., where she continued to court report before retiring in 2022.

Mary Beth loved gardening, was an avid reader and spent many hours working on cross-stitch projects.

She is survived by her brother, Thomas (Ruth Ann) Cook of Butler; and her sister, Eileen (Jared) Kile of Senoia, Ga.; as well as her nieces and nephews.

COOK — A private burial service for Mary Beth Cook, who died Sunday, April 23, 2023, will be held with interment to follow at Butler County Memorial Park in Butler.

Please sign the guest book at www.butlereagle.com.