CORDIE LA FRANCES CASH
Cordie La Frances Cash, 87 of Silsbee, Texas died Thursday, October 20, 2005 at the Silsbee Oaks Health Care Center.
Cordie was married to Russell “Jack” Cash. Her husband Jack, oldest son Russell, brothers James Edward Wooley, Robert Wooley and sister Geraldine Boone preceded her in death.
Cordie lived, worked and raised her family in Houston, Texas. She started working for Hughes Tool Company early in 1942 and retired in 1977. She was the first woman in the Company’s history to qualify and work as a machinist. It was demanding work but she was never to tired to be active in the community or to offer a helping hand to others. During her working years in Houston she was a “Foster Mother” for the Foreign Graduate Student Program, a counselor for a Women’s Halfway House, a Drug and Alcohol Abuse Counselor for the City of Houston and Texas Department of Corrections. Cordie was also an active volunteer for the United Way Fund.
In 1977 Cordie retired and moved to Silsbee bringing with her the desire for public service. She held office in the County Extension Club, the Silsbee Garden Club and the American Association of Retired Persons. She was a member of the board of Hardin County Nutrition and Services. She was devoted to the welfare of seniors and was active in the Senior Citizens All Together program in Kountze Texas. In 1986 Cordie was elected to be the first Silver Haired Legislator for Hardin County and served for three terms.
Her long history of volunteer service won her numerous awards, including a certificate of recognition as an Outstanding Grandparent, Texas House of Representatives Certificate of Citation, Community Service Award, Outstanding Volunteer Service Award and Award of Appreciation from the Texas Health Care Association. She was inducted into the South East Texas Hall of Fame in 1992.
Community service was her calling but fund raising was her talent. In support of her many activities on behalf of seniors in Hardin County she baked and sold countless cookies. She was called the “Cookie Lady” and for years was a familiar visitor to the businesses of Silsbee. The cookies were irresistible and so was she.
She is survived by a daughter Adalaide Cash Balaban of Silsbee Texas and son Gerald Wayne Cash of Abilene Texas. Surviving are brothers Roger Wooley of Cuppertino California, Kenneth Wooley of Silsbee Texas and Donald Wooley of Lott Texas. Surviving are three adult grandchildren and three great-grandchildren as well as thirteen nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be on Sunday October 23, 2005 from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Farmer Funeral Home
Funeral services will be at 10:00 a.m. Monday October 24, 2005 at Farmer Funeral Home Chapel in Silsbee, Texas. Services will be conducted by Reverend Mary Wilson of St John’s Episcopal Church, Silsbee, Texas.
In honor of Cordie’s request, those wishing to send memorial gifts in lieu of flowers please direct them to Silsbee Public Library, Memorial for Cordie Cash , Friends of The Library, Santa Fe Park Silsbee, Texas 77656 or Senior Citizens All Together, P. O. Box 2116, Kountze, Texas 77625.
