Mary Cooks

Sister Mary Elizabeth Jackson Cooks was born on April 27, 1940, in Darlington County, South Carolina.  She was the daughter of the late Mr. Major and Mrs. Mary Jackson.  She departed this life at Honorage Nursing Home in Florence, South Carolina on October 31, 2022.  Mary will be lovingly remembered by those who knew her:  her children, grandchildren, great-grands, and great, great grandchildren, sisters and brother, family, neighbors, friends, and church family.

Mary was educated in the Public Schools of Darlington County, Rosenwald Elementary School.  

Her daughters remember fondly that she loved cooking for her family, especially receiving her out-of-state relatives when they visited.  She prepared good meals as well, for her children and family.  She loved to work in her garden, do housekeeping, and talking with family, friends, and neighbors.  Her grandchildren were special to her, and she loved taking care of them.  She also worked at various hotels in the surrounding areas.

She met and married the late Brother Calvin Cooks, Sr. on July 7, 1960.  To this union, twelve children were born.

She was baptized in the name of Jesus Christ and received the gift of the Holy Ghost.  She was a member of The Church in the Lord Jesus Christ of the Apostles’ Doctrine, Inc. She and her husband, the late Deacon Calvin Cooks, Sr., were faithful members and brought their young children to church with them.  She was a member of Group II.

Those who preceded her in death:  her husband, the late Deacon Calvin Cooks, Sr.; three brothers,  Henry Jackson, Leroy Lee Jackson, and Major Jackson, Jr.; three sisters,  Minnie Mae Sims, Catherine Jackson Williams, and Charlotte Josephine Coleman; three great-great grandchildren, Jayden Silva, Ma’kenzie Naomi Wilds and Journey Monae Butler.

She leaves behind to cherish her memories:  six sons, Calvin (Nancy) Cooks, Jr. of Hartsville, South Carolina, James Cook of Greenville, South Carolina,  Joseph (Kim) Cooks of East Haven, Connecticut, Brother Jerry (Sister Patricia) Cooks of Cheraw, South Carolina, Robert Lee Cooks of New Haven, Connecticut, and Clarence Cooks of Augusta, Georgia.; six daughters, Mary Lee Miley of North Carolina, Delores (William) Jones of Hamden, Connecticut, Shirley Cooks of Darlington, South Carolina, Judy (Martin) Cabbagestalk of Hartsville, South Carolina, Dora (Terrence) McNeil of Hamden, Connecticut, and Sister Annette (Bradley) McTillman of Hartsville, South Carolina; two sisters, Elzena Jackson of Baltimore, Maryland and Louise Jackson of Darlington, South Carolina; one brother, Johnny (Willie Mae) Jackson of Society Hill, South Carolina; five brothers-in-law, Clarence (Evelyn) Cooks of Tulsa, Oklahoma, Joseph (Lucy) Cook of Naugatuck, Connecticut, Cleveland (Wendy) Cook of Houston, Texas, Andrew Cooks of Naugatuck, Connecticut, and Jacob Hart of Orangeburg, South Carolina; twenty eight grandchildren which includes four of her grandchildren she raised in her home, Nicki Maxwell, Steven Cooks, Javon Silva, and Tyron Silva; forty five great-grandchildren; two great-great grandchildren; several nieces and nephews; and a host of other relatives and friends, including a large church family.

Please keep the family of Mary Cooks in your thoughts and prayers.