PEGGY J. COOK (née Johnston) of Gainesville, VA, formerly of Memphis, TN, Starkville, MS, Alexandria, VA passed away on May 18, 2018 at Capital Care Hospice in Aldie, VA.

She was born on July 25, 1936 in Memphis, Shelby County, Tennessee.

Her parents were the late Arthur Singleton Johnston II and Opal Griffin Johnston.

Peggy received a Bachelor of Science degree in Education and Sociology from Mississippi State University in 1958. She was a founding member and President of Zeta Tau Alpha Sorority as well as a life-long member of the National Rural Sociological Society. She completed her Master’s Degree in Sociology in 1968 and earned her Ph.D. in Rural Sociology from The Ohio State University, 1982.

She was employed as a Rural Sociologist, Economic Research Service, U.S. Department of Agricultural, Washington, D.C. for 25 years, retiring in 2001. Her career accomplishments included participating in many service and consulting activities, receiving many honors and awards, and authoring several publications and journal articles.

She is a former member of The Foundry United Methodist Church, Washington, D.C. and most recently a member of the St. Thomas United Methodist Church in Manassas, VA. Peggy’s interests and activities were many, including her involvement with various community volunteer services, advocating and mentoring prison inmates in Lorton, VA, volunteering at Novant Health Auxiliary and serving on various committees at Heritage Hunt Golf and Country Club, Gainesville, VA.

She is survived by her husband of 25 years, Eugene C. Cook of Gainesville, VA; her 4 children Robin Street of Ozark, MO; Russell J. Ross and his wife, Heather, of Cape Coral, FL; Randall A. Ross of Ozark, MO and P. Ryan Ross and his partner, Tony Haugan, of Gainesville, VA. Her brother Robert G. Johnston and his wife, Bettye of Cleveland, MS, and her sister Faye J. Fillers and her husband, Jerry, of Knoxville, TN.

She is also survived by 8 grandchildren, Susanna H. Street, Joshua R. Ross, Jonathan Taylor Ross, Samantha R. Johnson, David M. Ross, Rachael D. Ross, Brandon and Braeden Ross and 4 great-grandchildren.

The family will receive Peggy’s friends from 6-8 p.m. on Wednesday, May 23, 2018 at Baker-Post Funeral Home, 10001 Nokesville Road, Manassas, VA 20110.

Services will be held on Thursday, May 24th, 2018 at St. Thomas United Methodist Church, 8899 Sudley Road, Manassas, VA 20110 with visitation beginning at 11a.m and formal services at 12 p.m. Reverends Tommy Herndon, Jr. and David Forrest will officiate. For those who wish to attend, burial will follow at Stonewall Memory Garden, 12004 Lee Hwy, Manassas, VA 20109 at 2 p.m.

The family would like to express our thanks for the wonderful help and care from Capital Caring Hospice, Falls Church, VA.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in her honor to the Novant Health Auxiliary, located in Manassas VA at 8700 Sudley Road. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.bakerpostfh.com.

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