Emily Brister Harvey left this earth to be with her heavenly father on December 27, 2014, at the age of 99. She was one of fourteen children born in San Augustine, Texas, and raised in Palacios, Texas. Emily was from the generation that survived the 30s great depression and World War II. She was a devout Christian, and lifelong member of the First Baptist Church of Palacios. She was a dedicated member of the Order of The Eastern Star. During the war years, 1941 to 1950, she and her husband, Ward S. Cook ran and operated the renowned Green Lantern Inn Restaurant, on the bay shore of Palacios, where many of the officers and enlisted men stationed at Camp Hulen chose to relax and dine on seafood and steaks. In the 1950s, Emily began her tenure with the United States Postal Service, from which she retired after 20 + years of service.
Emily was preceded in death by her parents, Henry J. and Charlsie Marshall Brister, husband Ward S. Cook, husband Dorsey Crockett Harvey, and grandson Jack Cook. She is survived by her daughter and son in law, Dr. Kathy Cook Shock and Clay of Bay City, her son and daughter in law Ken Cook and Debra of El Campo, Grandson Kent Cook of Lewisville, granddaughter and husband Taelor Brown and Taylor of San Antonio, great grandson Hays Andrew Brown of San Antonio, great granddaughter Callie Elizabeth Cook and great great grandson Jaxon Steele of McKinney, and grandson David Slaughter of Lufkin.
Emily's family was the center of her life. She looked forward all year to attending the larger than life "Brister Family Reunion". Of the fourteen Brister children, she is survived by three sisters and one brother, Maggie Drawhorn of Zavala, Jean LeClair of Pearland, Melba McCrory of Palacios and L.J. Brister and wife Marilyn of Palacios.
Visitation by friends and family will be from 5 pm to 7 pm on Monday, December 29, 2014 at Palacios Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held at the First Baptist Church in Palacios on Tuesday, December 30, 2014, at 2:00pm. Interment will follow at Palacios Cemetery. Pallbearers will be her grandson Kent Cook, and nephews Curtis Bagwell, Darrell Gibson, Walter Tosold, Jay Brister, and Justin Tosold.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Emily's name can be made to the First Baptist Church, 202 Main Street, Palacios, Texas 77465
The family would like to thank the nurses and staff at Matagorda Regional Hospital and Houston Hospice for taking exceptional care of our beloved Emily. A special thank you is extended to Emily's personal care provider, Karen Rivas, for the many years of compassionate service that she provided.