Kimberly Cook Dunlap

Kimberly (Kim) Cook Dunlap passed away Saturday, June 6-, 2026 at her family's home in Winterville, Georgia. 

Kim was born in Guymon, Oklahoma on February 29-, 1956 to Dr. Melvin Kay (Curly) Cook and Sandra Blankenship Cook. After three years in Texas, the Cooks moved to Georgia at the urging of Dr. O.G. "Dan" Daniels, a close family friend and mentor. After living briefly in south Georgia, the Cooks moved to Athens where Kim started elementary school. Later, the family moved to Crawford, where the family raised cattle, Sandra taught school (and later worked as an office manager), and Curly pursued his doctorate at the University of Georgia. Kim played basketball, enjoyed livestock judging, helped look after her brother, Currey, and graduated from Oglethorpe County High School.

Kim graduated from UGA with a degree in Family and Consumer Science, while spending a lot of time with her Block and Bridle club friends. After graduation, Kim began work for the Georgia Agricultural Extension Service as a county extension agent in Blakely, Georgia. Leaving Blakely after several years, Kim moved to Denton, Texas and began work as a county 4-H agent. There she became reacquainted with her future husband, Sam (they had met briefly in Georgia). Kim and Sam were married on July 14th, 1984 at the Chapel on the Texas Woman's University campus in Denton on a day so hot the air conditioning units quit and the candles melted. 

Two children, Charles Finley (Chuck) and Jacob McGraw (Jake), followed as the Dunlap family settled in Slidell, Texas on a small cattle farm. Kim returned to school, completing a degree in library science at Texas Women's University, one of her life-long dreams. She began working for the Slidell school district as a librarian and teacher, retiring after a twenty-one-year career. Post-retirement she had a short second career with the Texas Rangers Foundation. Jake got a job at the ballpark in Arlington, and since Kim was his transportation from Slidell, she said she might as well work also. That was just like her. They worked at the ballpark from 2016 until 2024. 

Kim was a skilled seamstress, sewing beautiful jackets from quilts and doing plenty of "volunteer" projects for folks in Slidell and the surrounding area. She loved fashion and, like her mom, never left the house without looking "just so." Kim was an advocate for her community and, especially, the youth in her community. True to her extension service background, she was the club sponsor of the Slidell-Greenwood 4-H Club for twenty years. She was one of the kindest and most generous people you would ever hope to meet, never forgetting to send a card or gift to friends and family on special occasions. 

But Kim's greatest achievement was as a mother. Chuck and Jake had both been born with cerebral palsy and low vision. Kim became their champion, working through the various issues of therapy, school involvement, social benefit programs, and all of the hurdles encountered by children with disabilities. If stars are awarded in heaven for good deeds and work that benefits others, Kim will be a worthy recipient for what she did for "her boys" and all children with disabilities.

Kim was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in the spring of 2023, starting treatments at UTSW in Dallas. The Dunlap family moved to Georgia in December, 2025 with Kim's cancer treatment taken over by Emory University. Despite continuous care from providers we think are the best, Kim declined in health and eventually gave up her life. 

Kim is survived by Sam, Chuck, Jake, Curly and wife, Sonya Cook, and Currey. Kim was a wonderful sister, daughter, and friend as well as an amazing mom. Words are inadequate to express the love that her family and friends have for her. She had a brightness (and infectious smile) that shone wherever she was. 

The family will host an informal "Celebration of Life" for Kim, as she regarded funerals as usually being "way too sad". Those wishing to honor Kim's life should make a donation in her name to the Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance (ocrahope.org).

Lord and Stephens Funeral Home, East, Athens, GA is in charge of arrangements. www.lordandstephens.com