Deacon Charles Cook

Deacon Charles W. "Cookie Man" Cook, the third son of eleven children (six boys, five girls) of the late John and Rosie Cook was born on March 24, 1941 in Kershaw, South Carolina. He was a very active member of the Oak Ridge Baptist Church until his graduation from Hillside High School, Heath Springs, SC in 1960. After graduation he relocated to aterson, NJ where he studied under the leadership of his oldest brother, Eddie Cook, master mason until February 29, 1964 when he was united in marriage to Dorothy L. Foster. From that time he studied with the guidance of his beautiful wife, Dorothy as he often called her until his death. Charles was employed by the United States Postal Service as a mail handler for over thirty years. Charles joined the Canaan Baptist Church. For many years his commitments to the church and to God have been revived, it was being demonstrated by him being regular in attendance and his study of God's word. He has always been very sincere about his commitments and had demonstrated his sincerity by his unselfish devotion to his commitments, his family, the church, his job, The Masonic Lodge, The Eastern Stars and most of all his God. God blessed him to be a beacon of light that have shined in the lives of his family and this Paterson community and many other parts of America. God is able! Cookie Man joined Integrity Lodge #51 in 1982, and is a Past Master of Integrity Lodge. Through the years he has affiliated himself with many division of the Masonic order; Past Potentate, Golconda Temple #24, Newark, NJ, Jeremiah Chapter #13 The Holy Royal Arch, Past Patron, Fidelity Chapter #16 Order of the Eastern Star & P.W.J. Miriam Ct. #14 Heriones of Jericho, Paterson, NJ. Charles and Dorothy were married for forty-six years. The highlight of their life together was traveling. It was nothing for Cookie Man to drive his lovely wife across the country. Charles departed this life on July 7, 2010 at 11:00 p.m. at home. He leaves to cherish his memory: a devoted wife, Dorothy; a son, Vincent; a daughter, Veronica (Lithonia, GA); three grandchildren, Kamar, Kenya and Khalil (Lithonia, GA); one great grandchild, Jeremiah; five sisters, Addie Cook (Sumter, SC), Katherine (Dave) Butler (CA), Viola Menefee (West Orange, NJ), Betty (Jimmy) Calhoun (Buffalo, NY) and Peggy Cook (Kershaw, SC); four brothers, John L. (Mary E.) Cook, Richard (Mary L.) Cook (Paterson, NJ), Michael (Joann) Cook (Kershaw, SC) and Ronald Cook (Greenwood, SC); five sisters-in-law, Annie B. Cook, Josie Harleston, Katie Thomas, Sherry Foster and Carol Ball; five brothers-in-law, Willie, Matthew, Jr., Robert, Terry and Clifford Foster; god children, Claudia Higgs, Tracy Crowley and Ayana and Zamarah Kearney; special friend/cousin, Edroy Moore, Sr.; many nieces and nephews; the Cook-Shields Family; and a host of other relatives, good friends, and of course The Masonic Lodge, The Eastern Star family and the Canaan Baptist Church Family.