Evelyn McQueen Cook

Evelyn McQueen Cook of Mountain City, Tennessee, died on March 11, 2026. A seventh-generation McQueen of Johnson County, she was the daughter of the late Marcus McQueen and Myrtle Gentry McQueen.

She earned a B.A. in English from Berea College and an M.S. in Administration and Supervision from the University of Tennessee. Mrs. Cook taught high school English at Johnson County High School and at George C. Marshall High School in Ankara, Turkey. She later served as Deputy Director of the Pre-Discharge Education Program for American servicemen and servicewomen in Europe and became the first Secondary School Supervisor in Johnson County.

Deeply committed to her community, she was a longtime member of First United Methodist Church, where she served as Lay Leader, Sunday School teacher, and chair of the Pastor-Parish Committee. She held leadership roles in the Wednesday Music Club, the Democratic Women’s Committee of Johnson County, and the Heritage Hall Board of Directors. She co-chaired the Johnson County Bicentennial Committee and worked tirelessly for downtown Mountain City revitalization, especially the restoration of the old high school auditorium.

A passionate advocate for the arts, Mrs. Cook focused on creating opportunities for young people in drama and music. She supported Barter Theatre as a member of the Porterfield Society and the Board of Trustees, and she played an integral role with The Johnson County Center for the Arts, Long Journey Home, and the Junior Appalachian Musicians program. She is survived by her daughter, Stephanie L. Cook and her husband, Dr. Masaru Okabe, her grandson, Kye L. Okabe, and many other relatives and friends.