Hylton, Glenda “Cookie” Cook
Glenda Cook (Cookie) Hylton, 74, of Pulaski, VA died peacefully at home on Sunday, January 9, 2011, with her loving husband of 52 years, Jim, and her youngest son, John, by her side. She had endured a long and graceful battle with brain cancer. Born November 25, 1936, in Lakeland, FL to Carlton and Grace Cook (both deceased), Cookie graduated from Lakeland High School in 1954. She then moved to Atlanta, GA to attend the Georgia Baptist College of Nursing (of Mercer University), where she earned her nursing degree (R.N.) in 1958 and also met her future husband. She practiced nursing at Georgia Baptist Hospital before marrying in Atlanta and raising her children in Camp Lejeune, NC and then Pulaski. She provided years of community service organizing Red Cross blood drives throughout the New River Valley.
In addition to her husband, Dr. James Hylton of Pulaski, she is survived by her three sons, Neal Hylton and wife Jennifer of St. Petersburg, FL, Tom Hylton of Pulaski, and Dr. John Hylton of Baltimore, MD; her three grandchildren, Jesse Kenner, Shelby, and Sarah Hylton; her sister, Mrs. Barbara Guffy of Lakeland; her (former) brother-in-law James Wolfe and wife Elaine of Pulaski; her two nieces, Mrs. Sandra Gay Huntt of Orlando, FL and Ms. Jennifer Wolfe Badcock of Lakeland; and five great-nieces and nephews.
Nothing brought Cookie more joy than family. She was fiercely devoted to her husband, children and grandchildren with whom she created a lifetime of fond and loving memories. Her many pleasures included cooking, gardening, decorating, sewing, dancing, singing, solving puzzles, playing games and cherished time spoiling grandchildren. She had a fantastic sense of adventure and traveled much of the world with her husband and dear friends, though her favorite spot always included sand between her toes and an abundance of shells within easy reach. She will always be remembered for her generous spirit, infectious laughter, endearing smile, heartwarming hugs and her sparkling eyes.
Cookie was constantly surrounded by the grace of angels for whom she felt great affection and true blessings, including Katherine Hilliard, Debbie Tibbs Covey, Lafon O’Dell Burton, Tina Garwood, Sherrie O’Dell, Jeannie Grant, John LeMasters, Sharon Williamson, Laura Vasquez and Belinda Nester as well as many wonderful team members of Carilion Hospice of the New River Valley.
The family will receive visitors from 6-8 p.m. on Friday, January 14, 2011 at Seagle Funeral Home, 415 North Jefferson Avenue, Pulaski, VA. A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, January 15, 2011 at Christ Episcopal Church, 144 North Washington Avenue, Pulaski, VA, with the Very Reverend Vickie Houk, officiating, followed by a reception for family and friends in the church parish hall. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations are encouraged to The Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center at Duke University (www.cancer.duke.edu/btc/), Christ Episcopal Church of Pulaski (P.O. Box 975, Pulaski, VA, 24301), or any charity providing care for animals. Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.seaglefuneralhome.com. Arrangements by Seagle Funeral Home, Pulaski.