Obituary for Freeman Cook
Elder Freeman Cook, age 78 entered peaceful rest at home with his wife by his bedside on Friday, October 22, 2021, in Jacksonville, Florida. Freeman was born on June 27, 1943, in Jacksonville, Florida to James and Annie Belle Cook, the fourth of eleven children. He was educated in the Duval County School system and received his high school diploma. At the time of his retirement, he was the Director of Data Center Operations with Health Plan Services in Tampa, Florida.
He accepted Christ as his personal savior as a young man and was an active member of Ephesus Seventh-Day Adventist Church. While living in Dallas, Texas, he was a member of City Temple Seventh-Day Adventist Church. He was ordained as an Elder at Mt. Calvary Seventh-Day Adventist Church in Tampa, Florida. He enjoyed fellow-shipping at Hernando Mission of Seventh-Day Adventists in Spring Hill, Florida and Solomon's Porch Advent Ministries in Orlando, Florida. Returning to Jacksonville, he resumed attending Ephesus SDA Church and was very active in Sabbath School and Prayer Meeting. He loved ministering and counseling and was affectionately called “Rev”. He took joy in visiting the elderly and often provided them with food baskets. He spoke at many churches and cultural events and was known for his rendition of Martin Luther King's speech "I Have a Dream".
He was a passionate fisherman, often going out on his boat or fishing from the Nassau Sound Pier, regularly sharing his catch with family and neighbors. He was a fervent reader, having read multiple versions of the Bible and books on Black History, Religion and Poetry. His favorite authors were Langston Hughes, James Weldon Johnson, and Maya Angelou. An ardent fan of traditional gospel music, his favorite song was "Your Grace and Mercy" by Frank Williams and the Mississippi Mass Choir. He was an avid bowler and enjoyed competing in leagues and tournaments. He loved all types of sports and enjoyed exercising, frequently walking the downtown bridges in Jacksonville.
Freeman married Marguerite Cooper on October 31, 1964, and from this union 2 children were born. He was a loving husband and his children will remember him as a devoted father.
He was preceded in death by his father, James H. Cook Sr ; mother, Annie Belle Cook; brothers, James Cook Jr, Hardy Cook, Sam Cook, Huron Cook, Lionel Cook and Hector Cook; sisters, Annette Bryant, and Cornelia Jenkins. He is survived by his devoted wife of 57 years Marguerite Cook; daughter, Denise Cook-Butler (Gregory); son, Ronrico Cook (Jessica); sisters, Velma Aiken and Margaret Whitfield; grandchildren, Christopher Hall, Deion Kirksey (Whitney), Huey Williams, Kayla Bohlender and Aria Cook; his great grandchildren Caleb Hall, Christopher Hall Jr, Nia Jones, Mariah Kirksey, Maniyah Kirksey, Kaleb Kirksey, Maria Kirksey and twins Caaliyah and Caleigh Hall; cherished niece, Yvette Williams and a host of other nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
He accepted Christ as his personal savior as a young man and was an active member of Ephesus Seventh-Day Adventist Church. While living in Dallas, Texas, he was a member of City Temple Seventh-Day Adventist Church. He was ordained as an Elder at Mt. Calvary Seventh-Day Adventist Church in Tampa, Florida. He enjoyed fellow-shipping at Hernando Mission of Seventh-Day Adventists in Spring Hill, Florida and Solomon's Porch Advent Ministries in Orlando, Florida. Returning to Jacksonville, he resumed attending Ephesus SDA Church and was very active in Sabbath School and Prayer Meeting. He loved ministering and counseling and was affectionately called “Rev”. He took joy in visiting the elderly and often provided them with food baskets. He spoke at many churches and cultural events and was known for his rendition of Martin Luther King's speech "I Have a Dream".
He was a passionate fisherman, often going out on his boat or fishing from the Nassau Sound Pier, regularly sharing his catch with family and neighbors. He was a fervent reader, having read multiple versions of the Bible and books on Black History, Religion and Poetry. His favorite authors were Langston Hughes, James Weldon Johnson, and Maya Angelou. An ardent fan of traditional gospel music, his favorite song was "Your Grace and Mercy" by Frank Williams and the Mississippi Mass Choir. He was an avid bowler and enjoyed competing in leagues and tournaments. He loved all types of sports and enjoyed exercising, frequently walking the downtown bridges in Jacksonville.
Freeman married Marguerite Cooper on October 31, 1964, and from this union 2 children were born. He was a loving husband and his children will remember him as a devoted father.
He was preceded in death by his father, James H. Cook Sr ; mother, Annie Belle Cook; brothers, James Cook Jr, Hardy Cook, Sam Cook, Huron Cook, Lionel Cook and Hector Cook; sisters, Annette Bryant, and Cornelia Jenkins. He is survived by his devoted wife of 57 years Marguerite Cook; daughter, Denise Cook-Butler (Gregory); son, Ronrico Cook (Jessica); sisters, Velma Aiken and Margaret Whitfield; grandchildren, Christopher Hall, Deion Kirksey (Whitney), Huey Williams, Kayla Bohlender and Aria Cook; his great grandchildren Caleb Hall, Christopher Hall Jr, Nia Jones, Mariah Kirksey, Maniyah Kirksey, Kaleb Kirksey, Maria Kirksey and twins Caaliyah and Caleigh Hall; cherished niece, Yvette Williams and a host of other nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.