Ann Jordan Cooke

Ann J. Cooke was born April 3, 1930, in Bluefield, West Virginia to Mary and Wilie Jorden. Her mother died shortly after giving birth. As in many black families many years ago, her aunt and uncle, Mattie and Dave Lowery, raised her. Ann attended Bluefield State College in Bluefield, West Virginia. Ann moved to Washington, DC to live with her aunt and uncle, Pearl and Meadow Tucker. She graduated from Cortez Peters Business School in Washington, DC. Her employment career included several agencies: Quarter Master Corporation, National Production Authority, Veterans Administration, National Security Agency, C & P Telephone Company, and DC Public Schools. She retired in 1994. Even though Ann attended Hughes Memorial United Methodist Church during her teenage years, she became an official member of Hughes on March 31, 1958. She married Stanley Samuel Cooke at Hughes in 1953. Their union was officiated by Rev. William Hairston and Rev. William E. Bishop. During her tenure at Hughes, Ann served in several ministries: a member of the Chancellor's Choir, as a member of the Progressive Club, United Methodist Women, Worship Committee, Trustee Board, Church Secretary, Communion Chairperson, and Membership secretary. She was a career Disciple Bible Study student and always an ardent reader. As mentioned, Ann was married to Stanley in 1953. She became a widow in 1967. Ann loved crossword puzzles; was a fervent reader of the Washington Post and the Bible; loved having Sunday dinners with her family; maintained close friendships with several of the tenants in her apartment complex; enjoyed various game shows; the news and movies on TV. She enjoyed cooking, especially macaroni and cheese; More importantly, she loved her family and her church family. She, figuratively, adopted some church members as family and their children as her grandchildren. Ann was a kind, charismatic, caring, and loving person. She was very comfortable having friendly conversations with people she met for the first time. During family dinners, there was always a story about her earlier life experiences, both good times and 'learning' times. She viewed life as a gift from God and treated others as she would like to be treated. Of her ninety-three years, she wanted to maintain as much of her independence as possible. She said that when God calls me home, "I'm ready." Ann left her earthly body on October 29, 2023. She is survived by her cousins Yvonne Marie Robinson and Yvonne's daughters Dana Marie Robinson, Keisha Evon Robinson, and a host of church family and friends. Ann's loving kindness will always be remembered. Home-going services will be held at Hughes Memorial United Methodist Church (25 53rd Street, NE, Washington, DC 20019), November 17, 2023. Viewing will start at 10:00 a.m. and services will begin at 11:00 am.

Ann Jordan Cooke

April 3, 1930 - October 29, 2023