Pawnee Cook

Pawnee Cook, age 92, of Dayton, Texas, passed away peacefully on April 27, 2026. She was born on March 7, 1934, in Dayton, Texas, to Robert Arthur Hillier and Annie Gajdosik. Pawnee was a lifelong member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Dayton and remained deeply rooted in her faith and community throughout her life. Her persistence, tenacity, grit, and determination were characteristics that carried her to the end.

Pawnee grew up in Dayton and graduated from Dayton High School. She later attended the University of Houston, where she earned her teaching degree. She also met her “Airman” husband R.E. Cook and were married December 27 th , 1955. She dedicated 40 years to education, teaching math at the elementary and middle school levels. Her passion for teaching left a lasting impact on generations of students.

She had a love for life that showed in everything she did. Pawnee especially enjoyed dancing, particularly square dancing with her beloved husband. Together, they also traveled abroad and she enjoyed many adventures with friends in the “Heaven Bound” tour group. She was an avid baseball fan and especially loved cheering on the Houston Astros. In her quieter moments, she found joy in sewing, coloring with her grandchildren, and doing puzzles. Pawnee was famous for her homemade ice cream.

Family was at the heart of Pawnee’s life. She coached her children in sports, supported them in all their endeavors, and later took great pride in watching her grandchildren participate in their activities. She deeply adored her great-grandchild and treasured every moment spent with her family.

She is preceded in death by her parents; her husband of 62 years, R.E. Cook; and her brother, Robert “R.A.” Hillier.

She is survived by her children, Donna Ann Cook and husband Chris Eastland, William Robert Cook and wife Jodi, and Patricia LeeAnn Wiggins and husband Mark; her brother, Franklin Hillier and wife Pam; her grandchildren, Savannah Rae Anderson and husband Casey, Madison Taylor Hollingsworth and husband Tyler, Ava Cook, Gianna Grace Cook, and Christy Eastland; and her great-grandchild, Parker Rae Anderson.

A visitation will be held from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Friday, May 1, 2026, at Pace-Stancil Funeral Home in Dayton. A funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 2, 2026, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Dayton, with Father Peter Nguyen officiating. A burial will follow at Palms Memorial Park Cemetery, Dayton.

Pallbearers will be Mark Wiggins, Chris Eastland, Casey Anderson, Tyler Hollingsworth, Glen Hillier, Paul Hillier, Brian Hillier, and Jon Franklyn Hillier. Honorary pallbearers will be Jodi Hillier Sheffield and Annie Beth Hillier.

Pawnee will be remembered for her kindness, generosity, perseverance, devotion to family, always guided by her faith, and the joy she brought to all who knew her.