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Avril Cook Wadsworth, 86, of Fort Smith, formerly of Monticello, died June 17, 2011 at home. She was the widow of Dr. Norman Wadsworth. She was born in Pine Bluff, Arkansas on August 12, 1924 to the late Alva Cook and Bertha Ray Cook. She was also preceded in death by a younger brother, Otis (Buddy) Cook, who died when they were children.
Avril, known by some as 'Ave', graduated as Registered Nurse from Baptist Memorial Hospital School of Nursing in Memphis, TN, and was subsequently employed by the hospital. She also served as a WWII Army Cadet Nurse at Kennedy General Hospital in Memphis. She and Norman moved to Monticello to establish his optometry practice and start a family. For many decades, Avril lovingly worked side by side with her husband in his office until they retired. Avril was very active at First United Methodist Church in Monticello. She had been a volunteer in the children's Sunday School department, chaired committees, and participated in United Methodist Women. After her move to Fort Smith in 2002 to be with her daughters, she continued to enjoy a social life at Fountain of Youth Adult Day Center until health reasons interfered.
She is survived by two daughters, Pam Wadsworth and Debbie Zouzas and husband, Jerry, all of Fort Smith; one brother, Don Cook and wife Betty of Houston; one step-granddaughter, Tina Lasiter of Muldrow, OK ; two step-great-grandchildren and a step-great-great grandson.
Avril, known by some as 'Ave', graduated as Registered Nurse from Baptist Memorial Hospital School of Nursing in Memphis, TN, and was subsequently employed by the hospital. She also served as a WWII Army Cadet Nurse at Kennedy General Hospital in Memphis. She and Norman moved to Monticello to establish his optometry practice and start a family. For many decades, Avril lovingly worked side by side with her husband in his office until they retired. Avril was very active at First United Methodist Church in Monticello. She had been a volunteer in the children's Sunday School department, chaired committees, and participated in United Methodist Women. After her move to Fort Smith in 2002 to be with her daughters, she continued to enjoy a social life at Fountain of Youth Adult Day Center until health reasons interfered.
She is survived by two daughters, Pam Wadsworth and Debbie Zouzas and husband, Jerry, all of Fort Smith; one brother, Don Cook and wife Betty of Houston; one step-granddaughter, Tina Lasiter of Muldrow, OK ; two step-great-grandchildren and a step-great-great grandson.