Elisabeth Mays Cook

Dr. Elisabeth Mays Cook, 94, of Valdosta, passed away Tuesday, December 22, 2015, at her home after a lengthy illness.

She was born August 10, 1921, to the late James and Hettie Mays, in West Palm Beach, Florida, where she attended the public schools. During World War II she served as a secretary in the Navy Department in Miami, Florida. In 1947 she married Jacob Stein, and continued her education earning her Bachelors' degree from Cornell University in 1950, Masters' at Penn State in 1952 and her PhD in Psychology at Penn State in 1954, being the only woman in her doctoral program. She was a licensed Psychologist in both Maryland and Florida. From 1967 to 1976 she had been Chief Psychologist at the Regional Institute for Children (RICA), Baltimore, MD, and from 1977 until her retirement in 1987 she was Chief Psychologist at the Juvenile and Family Court of West Palm Beach, FL.

Dr. Cook was a member of First United Methodist Church, Valdosta, and a volunteer at The Haven, where she was named "Volunteer of the Year". She was an avid reader and loved gardening.

She is survived by her husband Dr. Raymond Cook of Valdosta; daughter, Dr. Melinda Stein of Baltimore, MD; son, Dana Stein and wife Margaret Presley-Stein of Baltimore, MD; three grandchildren, Elayna, Julianna and James Stein of Baltimore, MD; stepdaughter, Katrina Allison of North Arlington, NJ; and a niece, Julie Nienaber of Miami, FL. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her first husband, Jacob Stein in 1988, and a brother, Randolph Epps Mays.

The Memorial Service for Dr. Cook will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, December 24, 2015, at the Chapel of First United Methodist Church, with Rev. Bob Moon officiating. Interment services will take place at Druid Ridge Cemetery, Pikesville, MD. In lieu of flowers, please consider memorial contributions to The Haven, P.O. Box 5226, Valdosta, GA 31603. Condolences to the family may be conveyed online at www.mclanefuneralservices.com. Carson McLane Funeral Home, Valdosta.


Funeral Home:
Carson McLane Funeral Home
2215 North Patterson Street
Valdosta, GA
US 31602