Evelyn McQueen Cook: Our Beloved Inspiration

Johnson County's arts community lost a true champion last week with the passing of Evelyn Cook, a beloved educator, world traveler and tireless advocate for the arts whose vision helped shape the cultural landscape of Mountain City. Cook was known not only for her leadership but for the warmth she extended to everyone who crossed the threshold of her home on North Church Street, where she welcomed friends with her trademark hospitality. During her career as an educator, Cook mentored countless students both abroad in Europe and locally at Johnson County High School, where she later served as Director of Secondary Schools. Those who worked alongside her remember her as a leader who constantly encouraged others to dream bigger. "Evelyn was such a visionary; you could not be around her without getting inspired to do bigger and better things for others," said Minnie Miller, who worked with Cook during her time in education and later served with her on the Long Journey Home committee. "She traveled the world but came home to her beloved Johnson County, and what a difference she made for all of us." Cook was instrumental in the establishment of Heritage Hall Theatre and remained active for many years with the Wednesday Music Club. Friends say she believed deeply in the power of arts and culture to strengthen communities. Stephen Long described Cook as a rare combination of global perspective and deep local pride. "She was a visionary, yet completely grounded," Long said. "She couldn't have been more proud of her roots, but she couldn't conceive of settling for 'less than.' She was proudly Appalachian and a sophisticated world traveler. She spent her life lifting people up, never looking down on them. She had a profound impact on countless lives, one of them my own." Long recalled a phrase Cook often repeated when discussing new ideas for the community: "Why not here? Why not us?" For many in Johnson County's arts community, Cook's encouragement became the spark that helped bring new cultural projects to life. Cristy Dunn, Executive Director of the Johnson County Center for the Arts, remembers a conversation on Cook's front porch that perfectly captured her spirit. "The first time I visited Evelyn Cook's home, we sat on her front porch swing looking out toward the horizon," Dunn said. "In that voice that meant business, she said, 'When I die, I want them to put up a big neon sign that says she loved the arts.'" Dunn said the thriving arts community in Mountain City is a direct result of Cook's vision and determination. "Heritage Hall was the vision she fought to bring to life," Dunn said. "And had it not been for Evelyn's advice 'If people don't call you crazy, your dream isn't big enough,' we might have made the sensible choice and tucked our plans for the Johnson County Center for the Arts away in a closet somewhere, where they'd still be gathering dust." More than anything, those who knew Cook say she believed in people. "Evelyn loved the arts because the arts bring people together -and she loved people," Dunn said. "The world is better because Evelyn lived, and each of us who were lucky enough to know her is better for it." Friends and colleagues say the best way to honor Cook's legacy is to continue the work she began: lifting one another up, building community, and dreaming boldly about what Johnson County can become. As Cook often reminded those around her: if people don't call you crazy, the dream simply isn't big enough.