Jacquelyn Alford Cooke

JACQUELYN ALFORD COOKE (Jackie) was received into her homecoming with Christ on Sunday evening, December 14, 2025. Jackie Cooke was a faithful follower of Jesus, a true prayer warrior, and heard her Savior say, “Well done my good and faithful servant.” In the twinkling of an eye, she was home.

Jackie Cooke impacted the lives of everyone she encountered. Born November 29, 1930, in Memphis, TN, Jackie eventually grew up to attend Forest Hill High School where she met her high school sweetheart, Bill Cooke. Jackie was a cheerleader and Bill played football, basketball and baseball. This was the beginning of a true lifetime partnership. They were a dynamic duo, and Jackie was a strong presence in every endeavor.

This love story took the two of them to many places where they shared adventures together. Jackie followed Bill to Pearl Harbor where he was stationed during his active Naval service. They would begin a family that would eventually include Bill, Carol, Cathy and David. They would move back to the States, and as the family grew Jackie proved to be an amazing provider at home and was actively involved in the life and activities of her children. Her faith and church were top priorities. She volunteered teaching Sunday School, served as the Parent Youth coordinator, served on many committees and was willing to help anyone with a need. As Bill’s professional life grew after founding Cooke, Douglass, and Farr, Jackie was integral in helping it get off the ground and running successfully. She also had serious skills in the kitchen. Early every morning she was up before everyone preparing food and organizing the day for the entire family. She was a stable force behind the entire Cooke household. Jackie was a fierce protector of those she loved and set very high standards by modeling it first in her own life. In all things Jackie and Bill served as models of a beautiful, godly and sacred marriage.

Jackie was a prayer warrior. Every morning without fail she would pray through a list of her entire family and the special friends that were connected to her life. As a follower of Jesus, her faith guided her every decision. The needs of others were always more important than her own. She would humbly prefer the focus to be on the people she loved. Jackie was devoted to her family and loved her friends deeply. She thrived being involved in her Bible study groups, the Friendship Sunday School class, and faithfully served both Alta Woods Methodist and Christ United Jackson churches.

There were a few names that Jackie loved to hear from her family. Sweetheart (from husband Bill), Momma (from her kids), Little Momma (from son Bill), and Memomma and Grandmomma (from her grandkids and great grandkids). Family to Jackie Cooke was her heart! There is nothing she wouldn’t give, research, fight for, or make happen if it meant good things for her loved ones. This is a beautiful and rare gift. Jackie Cooke was a Proverbs 31 woman: Diligent, Faithful, Strong, Compassionate and Trustworthy. The Lord was her portion and strength. If you knew her it was a gift from the Lord.

She is preceded in death by her Mother Jacquelyn Alford, Father Gillie Lee Alford, Husband William H. Cooke Jr. (Bill), and daughter Carol Leigh Cooke McClellan. She is survived by her sister Tebie Alexander, Son William H. Cooke III (Anne), Daughter Cathy Butler (Rusty), Son John David Cooke (Lori-Lynne). She is also survived by grandchildren John, Mallorie, Reese, Michael, Lee, William, John Bailey, Nathan, Benjamin, Jason and 9 great grandchildren.

Services will be held at Christ United Jackson Church at 6000 Old Canton Road, Jackson, MS on Thursday December 18, 2025. Visitation will be held from 1:00pm-2:00pm with services to be held at 2:00pm. Graveside will be a private family service.

The family asks that in lieu of flowers, memorials and gifts are to be written to BreakThru Ministries/Timber Creek Camp at 8113 Morton Marathon Rd., Pulaski, MS 39152 in honor of Jackie Cooke. You may also Venmo: @TimberCreekCamp (Memo Jackie Cooke)