Mary (Cookie) Nora Saylor, (80) of Johnson City, TN passed away on September 7th after a lengthy illness. Cookie was the oldest of 7 siblings and 1 cousin who was like a sister who provided an example of the best definition of a family who supports and love each other in spite of their flaws. Cookie was devoted to her 3 girls (her crumbs), 5 grand-children (her cupcakes), and 3 great grandchildren (her mini cupcakes).
Cookie Saylor was born on October 22, 1943 to Jack and Beatrice Estes in Johnson City. She is survived by her daughters Jackie (Jeff) Chandler, Karin (Greg) Keith, and Melanie (Andy) Honeycutt, her grandchildren: Chandler Crowder, Jake Chandler, Jared Chandler, Drew Honeycutt, and Nora Honeycutt and her great-grandchildren: Walker Chandler, Hollyn Chandler, and Jax Povlich. She also leaves 3 brothers and 1 cousin to mourn her loss: Travis Estes, Jeff (Patty) Estes, George (Kathy) Estes, and Beverly (Tony) White. She was preceded in death by her father Jack, mother Bea, sister’s Debbie Tester and Jan Tittle and brother Jack Anthony “Tony” Estes.
Cookie was an individual with many talents that included hand-sewing chicken-scratch quilts, arranging flowers, and cooking delicious meals. She expected family to be around her table every Sunday to share the meals she prepared. She could make a dollar go further than anyone and was often willing to give her last dollar to anybody who expressed a need.
As the oldest of 7 siblings, she helped to care for her younger siblings after her father and mother passed with 3 siblings under the age of 18 in the house. She showed that same love and care to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Cookie loved her family and made a point to let anyone know how proud she was of the success her girls experienced. She would wake up at 4:30 to assist her daughters who were nurses so they could start their 6:00 nursing shift, be the first in line to pick those same kids up from school, and open her home to help raise her granddaughter while her daughter pursued her doctorate.
Services for Cookie will be held at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 2211 E. Lakeview Drive in Johnson City on Thursday, September 12th. The family will receive friends beginning at 9:30 at the church followed by mass at 11:00 am officiated by Father Dustin Collins. Committal Service and Interment will follow mass in the Garden of the Gospels at Monte Vista Memorial Park. Pallbearers will be Jake Chandler, Jared Chandler, Drew Honeycutt, George Estes, Jeff Estes, and Travis Estes.
Cookie often said if she had a million dollars, she would leave it to St. Jude’s because of the special work they did for children at no charge to their families. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to St. Jude’s in her name.
Arrangements especially for Mrs. Mary (Cookie) Nora Saylor and her family have been made through Monte Vista Funeral Home & Memorial Park, 1900 E. Oakland Avenue, Johnson City, TN; 423-282-2631.
