Ella Cobbs Cook

Ella was the daughter of Anna Bishop Cook and Richard Poellnitz Cook, both of Birmingham, and the sister of Richard Hooker Poellnitz Cook and Mary Hamner Cook. Her paternal grandparents were Deane Poellnitz Cook and Arthur Philip Cook Jr. Her maternal grandparents were Katherine Stephens Bishop and William Moss Bishop. Ella's family also included her uncle Arthur Philip Cook III and aunt Morgan Cook; aunt Leigh Bishop and uncle David Taub; aunt Sissy Bishop Austin and uncle David Austin; and seven special first cousins: Philip Cook IV, Jack William Taub, Violet Taub, Juliette Cook, Kate Austin, William Austin, and Lucy Austin. Sandra McCollum is also a beloved member of the family.

Ella was a sophomore at Brown when she died, concentrating in French and Mathematics-Economics. Before college, she graduated from Mountain Brook High School in Mountain Brook, Alabama. Ella was an active, lifelong member of Cathedral Church of the Advent (Episcopal) in Birmingham.

Ella was known for her wide array of interests, from being with her precious friends, to babysitting so many children who were special to her, to teaching young people in Bible studies, Sunday School, and academic subjects. Ella dearly loved children. In fact, she believed her highest calling would one day be to have children of her own. She had a love for piano, dance, spending time outdoors in Hale County, and travelling anywhere – especially where French is spoken!

The qualities of Ella's personality and "soul" that most touched others were, foremost, her Christian faith, and especially her faith in the Death and Resurrection of Christ. She really meant it! And she wanted to share the good news of the grace that she received from the Cross. Not only did her personal faith shine out like a bright Christmas star, but she loved others as real people, not as objects. Ella loved God with her whole heart and she loved people — with her whole heart!

Ella was not a large person in physique but her heart was as large as the sun. Because Ella was relatively quiet on the surface and never sought to put herself forward, she in fact evinced a sort of "silent leadership," to quote her brother Hooker. "Ella is the best big sister ever. She is protective, responsible, and selfless," is how her sister Mary Hamner remembers her.

From Birmingham to Providence to wherever she traveled, Ella attracted an almost reverent circle of friends. That is because she was intentionally concerned for the best interests of others. In her sudden death she has inspired an almost measureless gratitude, in stirring proportions, from everyone who ever knew her. Ella carried a kind of personal magic within her, from her quiet smile, to her consistent openness to new challenges and places, to her heartfelt Christian faith, to her kind encouragement of all whom she met who needed encouragement, to her persistent courage in following both heart and conscience. None of these words is encomium. Each of them is accurate to the way Ella really was.

Ella Cook lit up our world and her reflected glory will be with her family and friends forever.

For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,

Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. - Romans 8:38-39

We will remember Ella and celebrate the Resurrection of our Lord on December 22nd at the Cathedral Church of the Advent. Time is still to be determined. We invite everyone to wear Easter colors.

Gifts in thanksgiving for Ella's life can be made to the Children's Ministry at the Cathedral Church of the Advent, 2017 Sixth Avenue North, Birmingham AL 35203.

Services are under the direction of Ridout's Valley Chapel (205.879.3401) in Homewood, Alabama.