Mary Rutledge VanHook, 96, passed away peacefully on Feb. 25, 2023, in Nashville. She leaves behind a husband Robert Peyton VanHook, Sr.; daughters Vicki Gentry (Phil) and Debra Grizzard (Ronnie) [Nashville, TN]; son Robert VanHook, Jr. (Carol) [Manchester, TN];  eight grandchildren Rob VanHook (Eva), Jayson VanHook, Danielle Rothman (Josh), Courtney Rommel (Kollin), Amanda Frykberg (Brett), Sarah Nemitz (Jordon), Kendall Marlow (Brian), and Michael VanHook (Rebecca); seventeen great-grandchildren; a sister Dorothy Johnson [Lebanon, TN]; and many other relatives who will miss her dearly.  She was born to Emma and James A. Rutledge. As a little girl, she helped her daddy in his grocery store on a busy corner of Nashville, which today is adjacent to Music Row! She was Secretary / Treasurer of her Senior Class 1945 at Hume – Fogg High School, captain of the cheerleading squad, and chosen D.A.R. medalist for leadership and scholarship. After WWII, she married Robert, her high school sweetheart from Lebanon. With Mary’s support, he earned a degree from Vanderbilt, even as they were beginning to build a family!  In 1952, with their children Vicki and Bob, they moved to Manchester where Robert began working at AEDC, and a third child, Debra, was born. They were longtime members of First Baptist Church where Mary often assisted with the youth activities. She touched the lives of so many in her community by working at Good Samaritan and visiting elderly care facilities. While the children were growing up, the VanHook home was busy with teen parties, snow sledding, band practice, and creek picnics – Mary as hostess! She kept pinto beans on the stove, brownies on the counter, and sweat tea in the refrigerator! Her fried cornbread was amazing!  Mary and Robert traveled the world and made every effort to include children and grandchildren on their trips. After Robert’s retirement, they traveled America in a motorhome. They made new friends along the journey.  Their marriage of 76 years was magical!  In their mid-nineties, they moved to Charter Senior Living in Nashville.

Mary was known for her warm and welcoming personality, and her genuine interest in others. She was a great listener and a true friend to all who knew her. Her smile was infectious and could light up any room. Her Southern hospitality was legendary and she always made everyone feel special.

Services will be held at First Baptist Church in Manchester, Tennessee on April 15, 2023. Visitation will be from 1 to 2 p.m., and the funeral will follow at 2 p.m. with Pastor Dr. Cox presiding. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Mary’s honor may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital – 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or to the Manchester Public Library.