Irene (Harless) Cook
1936—2025

Irene (Harless) Cook, 88, of Inez, passed away May 2, 2025, at Highlands ARH Regional Medical Center, Prestonsburg.

She was born Dec. 11, 1936, to the late Walker and Gladys (Osborne) Harless of Martin County. In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her husband of 56 years, Flem Cook; five brothers, Clarence Harless, George Harless, Winferd Harless, Floyd Harless and David Harless; and two sisters, Ethel Crum and Susie Workman.

Irene is survived by two sons, John Walker (Kathy) Cook and Ronnie (Marcella) Cook both of Debord; one daughter, Gladys Ann (Allen) Bowen of Inez; two brothers, Bernard (Bob) Harless of Inez and Homer Harless of Debord; two sisters, Mary Howard of Paintsville and Rushie Pelikin of Missouri; 10 grandchildren, Paul (April) McKinney, Jason (Chelle) Cook, Rea (Lonnie) Hall, Janice Cook, Jonathan (Heather) Cook, Tanya (Abb) Mullins, Ronnie Allen (KC) Cook, Chris Cook, Josh Cook, Alexis Bowen and Aleshia Bowen. She also had several great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.

Irene loved the Lord and everyone she knew. If you have ever visited her home, you would have most likely left with a full belly and a bag of garden food. She spent a lot of time in the hills either looking for ginseng or dry land fish (morel mushrooms). Her children and grandchildren were her biggest blessings. She will be deeply missed by all those who knew and loved her.

Funeral services took place Tuesday, May 6, 2025, at Crum Funeral Home in Inez with Roger Harless officiating. Burial followed at the Goble Cemetery in Debord, under the direction of Crum Funeral Home of Inez.