George William Cook, Sr., 87, peacefully departed this life to enter eternal rest with the Lord on October 31, 2022, surrounded by his beloved family.
He was born to the late James “Jimmie” and Ethel Cooke on October 4, 1935, in Camden, South Carolina.
He attended Dunbar High School in Baltimore, MD where he participated in a variety of sports that included wrestling, track, and football. Upon his graduation from Dunbar in 1955, he enlisted in the United States Navy, serving his country faithfully until his honorable Retirement in 1977.
He married Jessie Mae Coleman in 1956. They were married for thirty-two years. They were blessed with seven children from this union. His first Military assignment was in Norfolk, VA where they raised their children. He traveled the Mediterranean during his Naval Deployments.
He attended Norfolk State University where he studied Accounting.
He accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior at an early age. He joined St. Paul Church of God in Christ (COGIC) as a faithful servant. He often shared the story of how he “would follow his family to the church and looked in from the window until one day he decided to venture inside, and his life was forever changed” as he yielded to the power of God’s saving grace.
He answered the call to “Preach the Gospel” and became an Elder. He served various capacities including the ministry of Deacon, Elder as Assistant Pastor at Fellowship COGIC under the late Pastor Richard Richardson.
On October 7, 2000, he married Mrs. Doris L. Bright. Their twenty-two-year union resulted in the blending of two beautiful families. The couple, through word and example, insisted on the importance of family, love, support and unity.
In 2002, he was installed as Senior Pastor at Fellowship C.O.G.I.C. where he served the people of God unwaveringly, with First Lady Doris Cook faithfully at his side. He was a Servant-Leader who loved his members and took his charge as God’s under-shepherd seriously.
In recent years, when health challenges arose making it difficult for him to preach, he continued to face life with positivity and determination. He was indeed a fervent and effectual praying man, a lover of people, and a stranger to none, who gave selflessly of his time, talent, and resources to his Family, the Church and Community. He was a staunch supporter of missions work and charitable organizations such as St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and Feed the Children as well as to organizations that supported the cause of social justice for underserved populations, including those that support Native Americans.
Those who knew him knew how much he loved and adored his family. His children recall, during their childhood, how adamant he was about sitting down together as a family at mealtime. He was also a disciplinarian who had no qualms disciplining his children and anyone else’s if needed.
While he will be remembered by many as hardworking, kind, loving, charitable, and God-fearing, it would be remiss to not remember him also as a Man of Peace. If things got hectic, he would advise his family or others who sought his advice to take the higher road “for the sake of peace.”
He was preceded in death by his brothers Edward “Eddie” Cooke, Johnnie “Bubba” Cooke, Ralph Cook, Willie Cooke and Herbert Cooke; his sisters Eloise Cook-Jones, Ellen Cook-Temple, and Marcella Cooke; and his newborn son Andre J. Cook.
George William Cook leaves to cherish his memory and carry on his legacy his loving, devoted wife Doris L. Cook; his children Stephanie Cook of Baltimore, Maryland; George W. Cook, II of Baltimore, Maryland; Larry J. Cook (Karen) of Chesapeake, Virginia, Michael D. Cook (Lisa) of Chesapeake, Virginia; George W. “Billy” Cook, Jr. (Sharon) of Suffolk, Virginia; John P. Cook, Sr. (Valerie) of Woodbridge, Virginia; Paul G. Cook (Melanie) of Middletown, Delaware; Julie C. Snowden (Jasper) of Chesapeake, Virginia; Joyce Thorogood of Norfolk, Virginia; Shawn Wilkins of Chesapeake, Virginia; Kevin Bright of Norfolk, Virginia; and Shantia Hawk of Stone Mountain, Georgia; sister Ethel Cooke-Carter of Baltimore, Maryland; sister-in-law Geraldine Morgan of Germantown, Maryland; brother-in-law Clarence Sivels of Norfolk, Virginia; 50 grandchildren; 55 great grandchildren; 18 great-great grandchildren; and 1 great-great-great grandchild; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and other extended family.
Those who die in the Lord will live. – Isaiah 26:19
Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints. – Psalm 116:15
Condolences(11)-
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Audrey Oden says
November 2, 2022 at 4:06 pmThe Oden family extends our condolences to the family on the loss of your loved one. May the Lord enfold you in His comforting embrace. “And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes “ Revelation 21:4a
Pastor Charles and Tramita Reid says
November 3, 2022 at 12:30 amOur condolences to The Cook Family, in the loss of Pastor George Cook, Sr. We pray that you receive the comfort of the Lord during this time. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all!
Shirley A. W. Cabarras. says
November 3, 2022 at 8:54 pmTo Billy & Sharon Cook and family: Please accept my family’s condolences on the loss of your father. May you find comfort in the Scripture: “Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.” Matt. 5:4🙏🏼🙏🏼
Sharon and Billy Cook says
November 9, 2022 at 12:02 pmThank you so much, dear sister. We love you. ❤️
Jerome Skyles says
November 6, 2022 at 7:28 amAnd I heard a voice from Heaven saying “Write, ‘Blessed are the spirit, “so thay they will rest from their labors; for their wotks follow with them.” -Revelation 14:13
You fought the good fight, finished the race and you kept the faith!
Rest well Pastor Cook!!
Elder Jerome Skyles and Family!!
CAROLYN WHITFIELD says
November 6, 2022 at 7:07 pmAunt Doris our prayers are with you and the Cook family. If you need anything let us know.
Carolyn, Gloria & Family
Loretta Payton says
November 9, 2022 at 6:59 pmThe Payton/Griffin family sends our love, prayers and condolences to all the family members on both sides. May Gods, peace surround you all as you remember your amazing father, husband, brother, uncle and grandpa. Let the joy of the lord be your strength and his peace be your comfort for his hand rest upon the family while you mourn your loss. Peace and blessing always. 💕💕💕
Julie Snowden says
November 11, 2022 at 8:44 amThank you. Loretta and Griffin Family. Your words are truly comforting at this time.
Loretta Payton and Family says
November 9, 2022 at 7:04 pmThe Payton/Griffin family sends our love, prayers and condolences to all the family members on both sides. May Gods, peace surround you all as you remember your amazing father, husband, brother, uncle and grandpa. Let the joy of the lord be your strength and his peace be your comfort for his hand rest upon the family while you mourn your loss. Peace and blessing always. 💕💕💕
Coleen Norman says
November 12, 2022 at 12:36 amFamily you have our deepest condolences. You all are in our thoughts and prayers for comfort and strength during this most difficult time. May the memories shared bring you peace & joy. Blessings and love to you all. Rest In God’s Heavenly care Mr. Cook 🌷
Norman/Epps family
VAUGHAN,MEL, AND THE JENKINS FAMILY says
November 12, 2022 at 6:15 amLIFE AS WE LIVE ON EARTH IS FOR A MOMENT BUT TIME IN HEAVEN WITH THE LORD IS FOREVER. WE ARE ARE GOING TO MISS OUR GOOD FRIEND MR. COOK A GREAT PERSON TO TALK TO A GREAT PERSON WITH GOOD ADVICE. GOD PUT PEOPLE IN YOUR LIFE FOR A REASON WE MAY NOT KNOW WHY BUT HE DO AND IM GLAD WE GOD PLACE A ANGEL IN OUR LIFE. FLY HOME WITH THE LORD MR. COOK WE WILL SEE YOU AGAIN. WE LOVE YOU ALL COOK FAMILY