Obituary of Mary Stevenson Shook

Mary Stevenson Shook, 98, of Russell Dr., Boone, passed away Saturday morning, March 25, 2017, at her home. Born December 10, 1918 in Taylorsville, NC, she was the daughter of Robert Lee and Bertha Eliza Sloop Stevenson. Mrs. Shook was a member of the First Presbyterian Church for many years. She retired after 35 years as Director of Nursing at the ASU Infirmary, which she founded and is now named the Mary S. Shook Student Health Services. After retirement, Mrs. Shook served on various Boards of Directors for area nursing homes and actively delivered Meals on Wheels to the elderly in Watauga County. She held membership in many organizations, including the American College of Health Association, American Nurses Association, Southern College Health Association, North Carolina State Nurses Association, Retired Teachers Association, as well at the American Red Cross, and was an honorary member of the Delta Kappa Gamma Sorority. She was the first recipient of the Distinguished Alumni Award from ASU, and received the State of NC Governors Award for Excellence from Governor Jim Hunt and the Ollie B. Moten Award from the American College Health Association. Mrs. Shook is survived by her daughter, Tanya Shook Wilder of Marietta, Ohio; grandson, Samuel Zeb Wilder of Chicago, IL, and granddaughter, Eliza Caroline Wilder of Cincinnati, Ohio; her daughter, Myra Shook of Richmond, VA, and AFS daughter, Laury Rey of Bogota, Columbia; sister, Hal McNeely of Boone; and numerous nieces, nephews, as well as many extended family members whom she loved dearly. She was preceded in death by her husband of 63 years, Zeb Shook; and two foster daughters, Sara Collins and Mildred Kennedy. Celebration of life services for Mary Stevenson Shook will be conducted Wednesday afternoon, March 29th at 2 oclock at the First Presbyterian Church in Boone, officiated by Pastor Jeff Smith and Rev. Bud Russell. A reception will follow services at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Zeb V. and Mary S. Shook Scholarship Fund, Appalachian State University Foundation, Inc., PO Box 32156, Boone, NC 28608. The family will receive friends Tuesday evening from 6 until 8 oclock at Austin & Barnes. Online condolences may be shared at www.austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com Austin & Barnes Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the Shook family.