Dec. 31, Hardin County Tax Assessor-Collector Shirley McIntyre Cook entered retirement, after having served two decades at the courthouse. Cook was honored for her 20 years of service, including eight years in her current position Dec. 10, when the Hardin County Commissioners Court passed a resolution noting her contributions to the community.
Cook, a longtime Hardin County resident, graduated from Silsbee High School in 1976. Cook mentioned that she and Hardin County Treasurer Deborah McWilliams were classmates at Silsbee High School.
“During our sophomore year, we were both bullied in our math class,” she stated. “Now, Debbie is treasurer, who counts all the money, does all the math and formulas, and I’m a tax assessor-collector. I know our math teacher would shake his head and say that’s not possible. But, we did it.”
After graduation, Cook worked as a professional florist for 25 years and was a state certified elementary paraprofessional working more than six years with kindergarten children, before going to work for the county.
On Jan. 12, 2004, Cook began her career in the Hardin County Tax Office after she was hired by former Hardin County Tax Assessor-Collector Shirley Stephens. She became a state certified tax assessor-collector in 2010, a professional county collector in 2015 and county tax office professional in 2016.
Cook was elected tax assessor-collector on Nov. 8, 2016, and sworn into office on Jan. 1, 2017, by her younger brother, Pct. 2 Justice of the Peace Charles Brewer.
“I have met so many people that I would not have had that opportunity to meet and it’s that part that has just been a joy to me to meet so many people that are also public servants,” she said. “I’ve served in some form or another most of my life in different areas, but I’ll continue to do that.”
While in the tax office, Cook said she and staff worked through floods and hurricanes, health scares and pandemics.
“I think one thing really was the dedication of this staff during the pandemic when the courthouse was closed for 10 weeks and we managed to work,” she stated. “We worked outside for 10 weeks and had a car line outside. We opened up the drive-through, which had been closed for many years, and that’s been an asset for us and for our taxpayers.”
“I really have an amazing group of people that work here in this office that are faithful and hardworking people, and they make me look good a lot of times,” added Cook, who also served as the Hardin County voter registrar until Dec. 31, 2023.
As an elected official, Cook served on the Hardin County Salary Committee, Hardin County Policy Committee, Hardin County Healthy County Committee as chair and the Hardin Appraisal Board of Directors. During the recovery efforts of Tropical Storm Harvey, she served as volunteer ambassador for Hardin County Strong.
Cook has provided resources and raised funds for Hardin County households impacted by disaster, as well as volunteer teams serving Hardin County. She also served as volunteer ambassador for Hardin County Toys for Tots and is a lifelong member of First Pentecostal Church of Silsbee, where she’s taught Sunday School for 40 years.
“Ms. Cook has faithfully served the residents and taxpayers of Hardin County,” stated the resolution unanimously approved by the County Judge and Commissioners. “The Commissioners Court does hereby honor and give highest recognition to Tax Assessor-Collector Shirley McIntyre Cook, commending her commitment and tireless effort to conduct tax office and county business with strong integrity and the highest ethical standard, providing great care and compassion to Hardin County, its residents and taxpayers, therefore leaving it stronger for future generations, and conducting herself, both personally and professionally, in a manner that is above reproach.”
Cook, with her son, daughter-in-law and two grandchildren by her side, addressed the court.
“I have to thank God for giving me help and strength,” she said. “I am so thankful for my family.”
Cook also recognized her pastor, Rev. Homer Looper, as her spiritual guide, and Rev. C.M. Duplissey for “help raising” her.
“When she lost her dad, I became her surrogate father,” said Duplissey. “She’s been a wonderful daughter and a wonderful child of God.”
Cook thanked each commissioner and the county judge for their dedication to Hardin County, especially Pct. 4 Commissioner Ernie Koch, who saved her life about 30 years ago when he was in law enforcement.
Cook recalled her first interaction with County Judge Wayne McDaniel was an argument over a calculator.
“I want everyone to know I won,” she said. “You were so gracious when I explained to you the situation of calculating tax rates.”
McDaniel later presented Cook with a certificate of retirement, along with a jacket with the county’s name and logo.
One of Cook’s former employees, Sherred Thomas, said, “When you’re a leader, you’re not lord over everyone, but you’re a servant.”
“Ms. Cook was a servant for us in our office” she said. “Whatever we needed it, she helped us. If we were upset about something, she helped us.”
A retirement celebration for Cook was held in one of the courtrooms with more than 100 people attending.
On Jan. 1, 2025, Steve Smith assumed the tax assessor-collector post after he ran unopposed in the Nov. 5 general election.
Cook noted that her church has a private school where she will be doing some tutoring post-retirement.