Rosetta Cook

Spring was the season when Tom Robinson and Mary Alice McElroy Robinson welcomed their second baby girl home on April 4,1940, in Union County, Arkansas.  They named her Rosetta, but she would later be affectionally known as “Rose”.

Rose attended Washington High School but later obtained her GED from Oil Belt Vocational School.  Afterwards, she continued her education and received several certifications in a variety of courses. 

Rose confessed her faith and accepted Christ at an early age and united with First Baptist Church-Cordell in El Dorado, Arkansas.

After marriage, she united with Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church in Lisbon, Arkansas, where over the years, she served as a Deaconess, Finance Secretary, and Choir member.

Dr. Carey Clark of Clark Animal Hospital hired Rose, and she was the first African American dog groomer in El Dorado, Arkansas.  She later worked for Dr. Jim Ralston at Ralston Animal Hospital, which recently became El Dorado Animal Hospital, where she worked alongside Dr. Casey Mitchell.    Rose served as a dog groomer for approximately 40 years.  In 2017, Rose retired so she could take care of her husband. 

In her spare time, Rose loved baking cakes, pies, and other treats for her family and friends.  She was known for her chocolate cake, pound cake, German chocolate cake, and lemon delight to name a few. Rose loved to cook and had a library of cookbooks dating back to 1950.

On December 8, 1957, Rose united in Holy Matrimony to Billy D. Cook, and to their union six children were born.

Although it took us by surprise, it was no surprise to God as she transitioned from this earthly life to her heavenly home where she will join her husband, her daughter, Vickie Lynn Cook; her parents, Tom and Mary Alice Robinson (Essie); her brother, Tommy M. Robinson; her sister, Melba White; and her in-laws, Chester and Beulah Cook. 

She leaves her cherished memories to her two sons: Billy W. Cook of El Dorado, Arkansas, and Michael Cook of Jacksonville, Arkansas.  Three Daughters:  Suzette Coleman, Lisa Black, and her husband Booker, and Paula Aaron and her husband Gary., along with a Daughter- in -Law, Wanda Cook- Sims.

She also leaves her sister, Mary Joyce McKnight of Little Rock, Arkansas; her sister-in-law, Opral Cook of Smackover, Arkansas, and a brother-in-law, Otis Sherman and his wife Mae of El Dorado, Arkansas.  She was affectionally known as “Meme” and leaves wonderful memories and words of wisdom to her beloved grandchildren:  Ginetta, Jonathan, Candice, Nicole, Bashara, Raven, Justin, Chesnee, Gary Jr., Justin, Joshua, Alexis, Stephen, & Alex.  Her great-grandchildren:  Raelyn, Haley, Caleb, Rose, Ja’liah, Ziyad, Zahed, Zaiden, and Bella Grace.  She also leaves a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family, and friends.