Shirley Jean Cook

Sherman Thrower. Shirley was the third of three children, with two older brothers, Robert Lewis

and Carl Sherman. She attended Mt. Tabor church where she developed deep faith in God that

would sustain her throughout her life. She attended Dallas County Training School in Fordyce.

Upon graduation from DCTS, Shirley continued her academic studies at her beloved Tuskegee

University and was a proud graduate of the class of 1961. Shirley would go on to receive a Master

of Arts in Social Work from the University of California, Berkeley.

Shirley’s career spans 50 years, over half at Valley Medical Center in San Jose, CA where she

worked as a medical social worker in Spinal Rehab and Nephrology. Shirley was the Chairperson

of the Council of Nephrology Social Workers, Bay Area. Through her articles and example she

enabled Nephrology Social Workers to be a force on the Dialysis Team. Shirley served on the

Board of The National Kidney Foundation of Northern California for over eighteen years and

was elected Social Worker of the Year by the National Kidney Foundation. In addition Shirley

was invited to speak nationally and a highlight of her career was presenting at Harvard

University.

Shirley was a member of several organizations two of which were her beloved Alpha Kappa

Alpha Sorority and the the Links, Incorporated. She loved interacting with others, music, all sorts

of plant life, and she read voraciously. Shirley will also be remembered as a philanthropist,

teacher, mentor, devoted friend and doting aunt to her four nieces. Also in all phases of her life,

her Christianity gave sunlight.

Preceding her in death was her husband of 39 years, Dr. Rudolph Cook. Their marriage centered

on love, friendship, mutual admiration and intellectual stimulation. Shirley and Rudy enjoyed

both international and domestic travel and they traveled to several countries in Europe including

countries in Africa and Asia. They accompanied each other to various professional conferences

and speaking engagements. Season tickets to Jazz events and the opera were the way two people

with so much in common enjoyed their life together. Shirley loved entertaining guests and good

food was always a part of any celebration.

Left to cherish her memory are two nieces Saundra Silliman (David) of Montclair, NJ, and

Melanie E. Beasley of San Pablo, CA; two great-nieces Kia Silliman of Montclair, NJ and

Cameron Silliman of Manhattan, NY; cousin Jacqueline Cooper of Pittsburgh, CA, Larry

Cooper of Las Vegas, NV; several relatives; and a support network of dear friends and advocates.

Shirley loved life, good conversation and helping others in whatever way she could. Her presence

is greatly missed.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Oak Hill Funeral Home in the Chapel of the Oaks on August 21, 2021 from 10:00am-11:00am.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Shirley T. Cook to Unitycare.org of San

Jose, CA or to Help Kenyan Children Survive and Thrive, Inc., 10280 Shoreham Court, San

Jose, CA 95127, or St. Joseph’s Indian School, PO Box 300, Chamberlain, SD 57325-9919

Oak Hill Funeral Home

300 Curtner Avenue

San Jose, CA 95125