Mary Jacqueline “Jacquie” Cook Kirk passed away on August 9, 2026, following a long illness. She was 83 years old.

Jacquie was born on June 14, 1943, in Dallas, Texas, to Odie Mac Sparks Cook and Atlas Cook. Following her parents’ divorce, she was raised by her mother and stepfather, Harmon Shelby.

On September 4, 1959, Jacquie married David Dean Kirk. Together, they welcomed three children, Brenda, Barry, and Troy. The couple later divorced in 1975. Jacquie spent most of her life in the Dallas area before moving to Prague, Oklahoma, in June 2022 to be closer to her youngest son, Troy, and his family.

Jacquie’s life was marked by determination, hard work, and a desire to care for others. As a young single mother raising her family, she attended school at night to pursue a career in nursing. Through perseverance and dedication, she became both a Licensed Vocational Nurse and later a Registered Nurse. Throughout her career, Jacquie worked at several of Dallas’s largest hospitals, as well as in private-duty nursing and numerous clinics. She devoted many years to caring for others before eventually retiring from nursing.

Faith was an important part of Jacquie’s life. A lifelong Baptist, she enjoyed attending church services and singing gospel songs. After moving to Prague, she attended First Baptist Church of Prague, where she continued to find fellowship and strength in her faith. As she grew older and was less able to attend in person, she continued nurturing her faith by watching her favorite Christian programs on television. Her love for God remained a source of comfort and strength throughout her life.

Above all, Jacquie deeply loved her family. She treasured the relationships she shared with her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and extended family. She also enjoyed some of life’s simple pleasures, particularly chocolate, a glass of sweet tea, and the opportunity to browse the aisles of a good thrift store.

Jacquie was preceded in death by her mother and father and her brother, Harmon Shelby III.

Those left to cherish her memory include her daughter, Brenda Dean Kirk Hetterscheidt and husband Frank of Howard, Ohio; her son, Barry Lee Kirk and wife Sheron of Jackson, Tennessee; her son, Troy Dale Kirk and wife Amie of Sparks, Oklahoma; her sister, Debbie Shelby Guins and husband Tommy of Plano, Texas; as well as her many beloved grandchildren and great-grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family, and friends.

Jacquie will be remembered for her perseverance, her compassionate heart, her devotion to her faith, and most especially, the love she held for her family.