Mary Elizabeth Satterfield Cook

LHS '66 

February 10, 1948 - June 25, 2026

(Posted on Berryhill Funeral Home Site)

With great sadness, we announce the passing of our mother, Mary Elizabeth (Satterfield) Cook.

She was also known as Sissy, and to others as Mary or Mary Beth. Depending on when you met her in her life. She always called Alabama home, but also spent time living in Kentucky, Texas, Michigan, and California.

To us, wherever she lived, we knew her as mom.

She was born on February 10, 1948, in Huntsville, Alabama. She died in Huntsville on June 25, 2026.

She loved Alabama football her whole life. When Coach Bear Bryant died, she cried and raced out to buy a newspaper with a headline about it to keep. She was an even bigger fan of Coach Saban.

Mom loved music almost as much as Alabama football. When we were growing up, there was always music in our house. Kenny Rogers, the Pointer Sisters, Alabama, Dolly Parton…those were a few favorites. One of her prized possessions was an autograph she got when she met Dolly. She framed it and hung it on her wall proudly.

She was the type of person who framed autographs of people she loved. Because she wanted to celebrate what she loved. Our mother loved a celebration.

We have so many memories of the ways she celebrated when we were little. She sewed our Halloween costumes and dresses for special occasions. She created traditions that we carried on for years, like reading “The Greatest Christmas Pageant Ever” aloud together every Christmas season. We also made popcorn and cranberry garland together and put it on our Christmas tree. There was an Easter Bunny cake every year of course. And birthdays were a big deal! She planned parties with elaborate cakes that she lovingly designed and baked (i.e., ice cream cone cake, Mickey Mouse cakes, etc.), even honoring half-birthdays if we wanted to celebrate.

Over the past few days, remembering all of the magic, we realized our mother was Pinterest before there was ever such a thing. She was so creative. From those early cake designs and party favors for our birthdays, making things, painting things, bedazzling things, arranging flowers, decorating houses, recovering furniture…she did it all. The bigger, the sparklier…she was definitely a more-is-more person when it came to crafts, interior design, and clothing.

She brought her creative talents to every job she had in her life—whether it was stay-at-home mom extraordinaire, a secretary, a Mary Kay sales rep, an associate at the candle store Brightworld, an up and coming part of the ManPower temp agency, a substitute teacher, an educator, a volunteer caregiver, and more….she used her creative talents and ability to build relationships with all kinds of different folks to each position.

Mom was a gifted writer too. She would leave poems and notes for us before she left the house. She wrote about her feelings with great depth and emotional intelligence that you might not have guessed a woman who loved to bedazzle would have.

Our mother was a combination of empathy, compassion, joy, righteousness, fear, love, anger, zest for life, and complicatedness. A combustible combination of light and dark and everything in between. There were messy, misunderstood moments.

Mom fought hard through heartbreak, chronic illness, and getting sober. She went through a lot.

Some of you might remember her as the friend you made in Alcoholics Anonymous. The one friend who shared stories that made you cry but also wrote you funny cards and gave you floral arrangements and wreaths she made. The friend who was fun to shop with, even if she had you paged five times over the loudspeaker when she was ready to leave.

Some of you will remember her as a military wife with her second husband, Bob, in California. She was the friend who loved entertaining and making her famous “7 Layer Dip” for her pals. The friend who enjoyed exploring and learning about places she had never been in the area and was up for anything.

Some of you will remember her as the funny one in the group, the one with boundless energy and creativity. That woman with the great smile and jet-black hair who played tennis at the club in Michigan. The friend who could do so many different things—have small roles in community theater productions, co-lead a Girl Scout Troop, advocate for seat belt laws after a terrible car accident, and volunteer at her kids’ elementary school. She might be most famous for choreographing a fifth-grade dance number to Michael Jackson’s “Thriller.” It was the hit of the Woodland Elementary talent show in 1984.

Some of you will remember her as part of the cutest couple at Lee High School in 1968 with her boyfriend Randy Smith. That’s our dad. They had a pretty great love story for a while.

Some of you will remember the teenager who loved to twirl the baton. The majorette who wore sequins uniforms and boots with tassels. Who twirled triumphantly in the Orange Bowl Parade in 1965. (She twirled her baton for the rest of her life if asked. In the 1980s, she would even reenact her Orange Bowl Parade routine if you asked her to!)

There are still some people who will remember her as Clifton and Leona Satterfield’s feisty, funny daughter. Nancy (Mitchell) Morris’ kid sister, Sissy. Her parents and sister have been gone for quite a while. She talked often about missing them. Mom loved them deeply.

Even though it was complicated for us, and maybe some of you, we want to and will remember Mom as vivacious, creative, and fun. A woman who loved to sing and laugh. One of the most consistent things about Mom all of these years was her appreciation of nature. When we were kids, she would pull the car over (even on the highway during one of our road trips from Michigan to Alabama) to point out a beautiful tree with pink blossoms in the springtime. She would ooh and ahhh over the fall foliage. She got such a kick out of the snow in Michigan and took so many pictures of snow on pine trees. She would remind everyone to “look at that blue sky” or that beautiful sunset.

We are having a memorial service later this summer, but if you loved her or loved people who loved her, here are a few things we hope you might do….

If you see an amazing sunset or a tree blooming, you will be inspired to stop your car, get out, and appreciate the beautiful parts of being alive right at that moment.

Bedazzle something, add some flair to a shirt that gets you noticed in a crowd.

Sing the Alabama song “My Home’s in Alabama” as loud as you can while you drive with the windows down. Or grab a spoon and belt out Kenny Rogers’ classic “The Gambler” with wild abandon in your kitchen.

Go dancing.

Open up a Diet Dr. Pepper and make a toast to simple pleasures.

Or this fall, root for Alabama football. (We realize this might be a difficult one for some.)

No matter who she was to you or how you remember her, we hope you will hold love in your heart for her life.

Mary was:

A daughter to: Leona and Clifton Satterfield

A sister and sister-in-law to: Nancy Mitchell Morris and Ken Morris

An aunt to: Matt, Melissa and Amanda

A grandma to: Peyton, Charlotte, Lucy, Caden, JT, and Wade

A mom to us: Dana, Angie, and Jeff

Berryhill Funeral Home is assisting the family.

To send flowers or plant a memorial tree in memory, please visit our flower store.

On The Road Again

Tommy Towery

LHS '64

While attending Lee, my major means of getting from one place to another was bus travel. Before I ever flew on a commercial airline, I had already earned my pilot's license for small planes. In fact, I had soloed a T-37 jet and earned my Air Force navigator wings, having never flown commercially. My first commercial flight was in February of 1972, in a DC-8, en route to Guam for a six-month temporary duty assignment there. It was a military contract flight.

Below is one of the comments on travel that I received this week through my comments section. It's interesting that a Lee graduate didn't make it, but I've noticed in the past that several of the readers and comment participants are not Lee alumni. All readers are welcome here. Here's the comment:

Danny Kinkle, HHS, but attended Rison Jr. High. And all my brothers and sisters are Lee high Graduates, "Tommy really appreciate what you do and your one-of-a-kind newsletter. It brings back many memories of old friends and growing up on McCullough Ave. You mention your bus trips often.  I have never taken one and was curious of the pros and cons of the trips. Also, I would like to hear about your favorite Bus trip."

Well, here's my answer to Danny's question:

 My first bus trip of note was made in 1960, the summer before I transferred to Lee Junior High's ninth grade. That was a trip to Colorado Springs, Colorado, for the 5th National Boy Scout Jamboree. It took us three days to get there, and the buses were old and ill-equipped compared to today’s mode of travel. There were no restrooms on them, and Wi-Fi was light-years away. We traveled from Huntsville through Memphis, Little Rock, Ft. Smith, Oklahoma City and other places. When my mother remarried and moved to Memphis before my senior year, I made several trips to visit her via Trailways buses. But neither of those is my favorite.

 Last year Sue and I discovered Diamond Tours, a bus tour company which specializes in tours to various vacation spots in the United States. We took a tour to New York City which I earlier mentioned, and we thoroughly enjoyed it. Earlier this year we took another trip with them to Mackinac Island, Michigan (home of the Grand Hotel seen in the movie "Somewhere In Time"). Last week we just returned from our third trip with Diamond; this time a seven-day/six-night trip to Niagara Falls and Toronto, Canada. All three trips took two days each way, each with an overnight stay in a motel en route to the final destination. We have another one booked heading to Cape Cod, Martha's Vineyard, and Plymouth in October.

It would be a toss-up deciding if my favorite trip was to New York or Niagara Falls. They were both bucket list trips. The buses we rode had on-board restrooms and offered Wi-Fi for the travel – but the Wi-Fi quality is not guaranteed. The process was to find a tour we wished to take on Diamond Tours’ website, contact the organizer, pay for the trip, and take out insurance through the company to cover us in case of problems. Trip insurance is important. We drove to the pick-up site and left our cars parked there while we traveled. We have been lucky on all three trips to share the tour with some wonderful, interesting fellow travelers; however we did have some concern about with whom we would be traveling – but that is a concern about any group travel. Some of the tours are organized by churches and civil groups and we were concerned if we would fit in with the others. That’s the chance you take.

Read Willard’s comments below on the Diamond Tours story.

Diamond Tours Bus Trips:

America’s Most Social, Scenic, and Surprisingly Affordable Way to Travel

Willard Finkbinder

Diamond Tours has become one of the most recognizable names in group travel—not because of flashy advertising or luxury‑priced packages, but because they’ve mastered something far more meaningful: creating shared experiences that feel like a blend of nostalgia, adventure, and genuine community. For thousands of travelers each year, stepping onto a Diamond Tours motorcoach is the beginning of a journey that’s as much about connection as it is about destination.

At its heart, a Diamond Tours trip is simple: comfortable buses, well‑planned itineraries, trusted hotels, and prices that make multi‑day travel accessible to almost anyone. But the magic comes from the people—retirees, church groups, senior centers, community clubs, and curious explorers—who turn each departure into a rolling social circle.

The Diamond Tours Experience

A Diamond Tours trip begins long before the bus pulls out of the parking lot. Travelers often arrive early, greeting familiar faces from past trips or meeting new companions who will soon feel like old friends. The motorcoaches themselves are modern, climate‑controlled, and designed for long‑distance comfort. Drivers are seasoned professionals who know the routes, the rhythms of the road, and the importance of keeping everyone safe and relaxed.

Once the wheels start turning, the experience becomes a blend of sightseeing, storytelling, and shared anticipation. Tour escorts—often beloved figures in their local communities—keep the group organized, informed, and entertained. They distribute itineraries, coordinate hotel check‑ins, and make sure every traveler feels included.

Diamond Tours specializes in turn‑key simplicity. Every detail is arranged: hotels, attractions, meals, and timing. Travelers simply show up, settle in, and enjoy the ride.

Destinations That Define American Travel

Diamond Tours offers more than 100 itineraries across the United States and Canada, each crafted to highlight the best of a region. Popular trips include:

Niagara Falls — A breathtaking blend of natural wonder and classic sightseeing.

Cape Cod — Charming villages, lighthouses, and coastal scenery.

Mackinac Island — A step back in time with horse‑drawn carriages and Victorian architecture.

Washington, D.C. — Monuments, museums, and American history.

Branson — Live shows, entertainment, and Ozark hospitality.

Savannah — Southern charm wrapped in moss‑draped beauty.

Each itinerary balances structured touring with free time, giving travelers the chance to explore at their own pace. Whether it’s wandering through a historic district, enjoying a scenic overlook, or browsing local shops, Diamond Tours ensures every traveler gets a full, immersive experience.

Community, Camaraderie, and Connection

One of the most defining features of Diamond Tours trips is the sense of community that forms on the bus. Travelers share stories, snacks, travel tips, and laughter. Birthdays are celebrated. Friendships are formed. For many, these trips become annual traditions—something to look forward to each year.

Group leaders often describe the trips as “community builders,” especially for senior centers and church groups. The shared experience of travel strengthens bonds and creates memories that last long after the bus returns home.

 Affordability Without Sacrifice

Diamond Tours is known for offering some of the most affordable multi‑day group travel packages in the country. Their business model focuses on volume, partnerships, and efficiency, allowing them to keep prices low without cutting corners on comfort or experience.

Travelers appreciate that pricing is transparent and inclusive. Hotels, attractions, transportation, and many meals are bundled together, making budgeting simple. For many retirees or families traveling on fixed incomes, Diamond Tours provides a way to see the country without financial strain.

Why Diamond Tours Continues to Thrive

In an era dominated by online booking engines and DIY travel planning, Diamond Tours stands out by offering something increasingly rare: stress‑free travel with human connection at its core. Their trips appeal to travelers who want structure without rigidity, affordability without compromise, and companionship without effort.

The company’s longevity is rooted in trust. Group leaders know the itineraries will run smoothly. Travelers know they’ll be cared for. And communities know these trips bring people together in ways that few other experiences can.

The Road Ahead

As group travel continues to evolve, Diamond Tours remains committed to its mission: making travel accessible, enjoyable, and meaningful. Whether you’re planning your first bus trip or your fifteenth, the experience promises scenic views, shared laughter, and the simple joy of discovering new places with good company.

If you wish to see the tours offered from Huntsville and surrounding places, click on the link below:

https://www.diamondtours.com/JoinTourSearchResult?z=35896&c=huntsville&s=AL

The Wayback Machine

" On The Road Again"

Willie Nelson

1980

"On the Road Again" (also labelled as "On the Road Again (Live)" in various album track listings) is a song written and recorded by American country music singer Willie Nelson.

The song, about life on tour, came about when the executive producer of the film Honeysuckle Rose approached Nelson about writing the song for the film's soundtrack. "On the Road Again" became Nelson's 9th Country & Western No. 1 hit overall (6th as a solo recording act) in November 1980, and became one of Nelson's most recognizable tunes. In addition, the song reached No. 20 on the Billboard Hot 100, and No. 7 on the Adult Contemporary chart. It was his biggest pop hit to that time and won him a Grammy Award for Best Country Song a year later.

In 1980, Nelson starred in his first leading role in the Jerry Schatzberg film Honeysuckle Rose, about an aging musician and his relationship with his family, who also are part of his band that travels throughout the United States while playing in different venues. Shortly after signing the contract, Nelson was approached during a flight by Schatzberg and the executive producer of the movie, who requested him to write a song about life on the road to use as the theme song. Nelson quickly wrote the song on a barf bag. The tune featured a "train beat"

 I know this is a longer item than I normally publish, but there were some things people wanted to hear about. I hope you enjoy it.

Last Week's Questions, Answers, And Comments

Delores McBride Kilgore, LHS '66, “Thank you for this article, Tommy! Happy Belated Birthday to you !”

Sandy Stephenson Presley, LHS '67, "Thank you, Tommy!"

Janet James Holland, LHS ‘67, "It was lovely to learn that this folk song, we all know,  Kum Bah Ya, was sung by the Gullahs, which I now live surrounded by. As I drive by their 10 churches on this island, I will imagine them singing it!"

Cecilia LeVan Watson, LHS ‘68, "I loved summer church camp. I attended First Cumberland Presbyterian church on Andrew Jackson.  We went to Crystal Springs, Tennessee. I remember the boys' cabins on one side and the girls on the other, with the mess hall in the middle. The swimming pool was ice cold! We played ball, games, and mainly we learned about God's love. Many years later, I had my husband drive us there. The memories flooded back. What an amazing childhood!"