Dorothy Cooke Obituary

Dorothy Cooke

July 24, 1930 - August 12, 2024

Rolesville, North Carolina - Dorothy "Dot" Ferguson Cooke of Rolesville, 94, left this earthly life on Monday, August 12, 2024 reuniting with Maylon, her devoted husband of 70 years, and with Maylon Gray, her cherished first born.

A 60+ years member of Rolesville Baptist Church, "Mrs. Cooke" touched the lives of more than one generation via her tireless service running the church nursery, and as an assistant teacher in the RBC Through-the-Week Preschool. She was greeted with delight, even long after her retirement, by the now-adult church members (and for some, THEIR children) she "tended to" over the years. One young man is reminded often how he, as a little boy, screamed "Cooke!" across the sanctuary upon seeing her. A few lucky nieces, nephews and young neighbors spent their after-school & summer days playing in her yard, eating Chef Boyardee kit pizzas (topped with sliced hot dogs instead of pepperoni), drinking grape Kool-Aid and cooling off with homemade popsicles from Tupperware molds. Also fortunate were all who frequented her impeccably kept home, witnessed her face light up when holding a baby, or enjoyed one of her excellently prepared southern meals.

In addition to RBC, she worked at Buttons & Bows then later Rhymes & Reasons daycares. In her last years of employment, Dot shared her cooking talent with students at Millbrook Middle and then Wake Forest-Rolesville High cafeterias, retiring at 67 from Wake County Schools Nutrition Services.

Mom loved Vince Gill, laughing with her sisters on beach trips, and making banana pudding for her grandsons.

Growing up on a farm in the Royal community, Dot was oldest of the nine children of the late John H. "Jack" and Florence Woodlief Ferguson. She survived cancer in her 70's, and the death of both her beloved Maylons (husband in 2020, son Maylon Gray in 2021). She outlived six of her younger siblings: Charlie Fergerson of Durham, Bonnie Wood of Louisburg, Rev. Bervin Ferguson of Whiteville, Jackie Allen of Clayton, and John Ferguson & Samuel Ferguson, both of the Royal community. Surviving sisters are Mae Finch of Wake Forest and Peggy Brantley (Ricky) of Knightdale. Dot is also survived by brother-in-law Tom Cooke of Mt Pleasant, SC, and sister-in-law Merle Fergerson of Durham, in addition to numerous nieces and nephews. Sadly, Dorothy passed away one day before her dear sister-in-law Nancy Cooke of Rolesville.

Also surviving are 3 of her 4 children: Cathy McKee (Joel) of Charlotte, Jerry Cooke (Kim) of Parrish, Fl, and Stanley Cooke of Rolesville; and 4 grandchildren: Matt Cooke (Vanessa) of Raleigh, Gabrielle Cooke Cox of Florida, Carson McKee and Skylar McKee, both of Brooklyn, NY.

Words cannot express the love and gratitude we feel for Mom's neighbors. Knowing they were nearby watching over her, gave us immeasurable comfort. Love and appreciation also to Mom's numerous caregivers, especially Ernestine, Tiffiany, and our "sister cousin" Judy Cooke James.

A funeral service will be held at 11 AM on Saturday, August 17, 2024 in the funeral home chapel with Rev. Randy Bridges officiating. Burial will follow at Maple Springs Baptist Cemetery in Louisburg, NC. The family will receive friends prior to the service from 9:30-11 AM at Bright Funeral Home, 405 S. Main St. Wake Forest, NC 27587.

Please visit www.brightfunerals.com to share words of comfort to the family.

Bright Funeral Home is serving the Cooke family.