Eva Lord-Cook passed away on October 10th 2025, at AdventHealth Shawnee Mission in Merriam, Kansas. A lifelong learner, teacher, and advocate for kindness and understanding, Eva left a lasting mark on everyone who had the privilege of knowing her. 

Born on June 8th, 1948, in Marshall, Texas, Eva grew up in the Dallas area  and graduated from Richardson High School. She went on to earn her master’s degree in Anthropology from the University of Kansas — an accomplishment she took great pride in.

Eva’s love of knowledge and discovery guided her life. She participated in the Town of Kansas archaeological dig, served as recording secretary for the Kansas City Archaeological Society, and presented on topics ranging from the Town of Kansas excavation to the Woodland-era Kansas City Hopewell Indians. She was especially recognized for her expertise in Middle Woodland period ceramics.

Teaching was another of Eva’s lifelong passions. She worked as a graduate teaching aide and later as an English as a Second Language instructor through Johnson County Adult Education at Johnson County Community College, where she took great joy in helping her students gain confidence and find connection through language. Eva also dedicated her time to supporting mothers and families as a volunteer with La Leche League, reflecting her deep belief in compassion, education, and community.

Beyond her academic and volunteer work, Eva was known for her remarkable kindness and gentle spirit. She treated everyone with dignity and warmth, always seeing the good in others. Even in the smallest interactions, she made people feel welcome and valued. Her home was a place of acceptance — for her children’s friends, her students, and her beloved pets, especially her cats, who brought her endless comfort and joy.

Eva was preceded in death by her husband, James Cook, and her daughter, Susan Cook. She is survived by her sons Walter (Lisa) Cook and Theron (Sarena) Cook, her granddaughter Nora Cook, and her grandson Orion Cook.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, November 15th, at Porter Funeral Home, 8535 Monrovia, Lenexa, Kansas 66215. The Cook family would like donations made to the Humane Society, or American Cancer Society.

Eva will be remembered for her brilliance, her compassion, and her unwavering curiosity about the world. The light she shared continues to shine through her family, her students, and the many lives she touched.