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LaFerne Cook was born on June 30, 1938 in Weed, CA to Robert and
Hattie Bell Cook. She was born the fifth of six children ancl the youngest
living chilct. Her twin sister, LaVerne was stillborn. LaFerne was called
home into eternal peace on Friday, September 7, 2018, at the age of 80.
When LaFerne was I3 years old, her parents moved to Parchester Village
in Richmond, CA where they continued to be homeowners. LaFerne
remained a resident of Richmond for over 67 years. LaFerne never
married.
LaFerne was affectionately called "Chicken". What's up with the confusion
on LaFerne vs. LaVerne? The nieces and nephews called her Aunt
Ferne: her siblings pronounced it LaFerne but spelled it LaVerne. The
mystery deepens with some official records interchangeably using
LaFerne and LaVerne. Even though outsiders might have looked upon
LaFerne as having a disability, her family never gave it a thought because
of her "can do" attitude. She was a walking living miracle -- at birth, she
was not expected to live. She wrote many songs about Gocl's love and
His l
LaFerne's education was nurtured in Richmond schools for the developmentally
disabled. Chicken went to school in the morning ancl when her
young niece. Delphine arrived in the afternoon, it was on... flash cards
and the works. LaFerne's real school day was just beginning. LaFerne
developed a nice handwriting. LaFerne enioyed baking cakes with
Mother's recipes. LaFerne didn't let anything stop her in the kitchen. She
had an awesome ability to write beautiful gospel songs that she shared
with all. At family gatherings, Aunt Ferne had to sing and sing ... just one
more verse! Nieces and nephews received plenty of frowns when they
"told" on their aunt who demanded her independence.
Aunt Ferne loved the many family gatherings and demanded a spotlight.
Aunt Ferne liked to joke, laugh and was a little flirtatious. She loved to
dress up, get her nails and hair done routinely, ancl hacl her own fashion
style. Off she would go in a taxi to her doctor's appointments, shopping,
and visiting friends. She had a special bond with her nephew Michael.
Upon learning of his passing she instantly replied "Michael was saved!"
She was proud of her nieces and nephews.
LaFerne lived at Vale Care Home for l5 years. She was a social butterfly,
so you had to find her when you went to visit. Her health began to
decline over the last 3 years. After a brief hospital stay, she died peacefully
at Vale Care with her nieces and nephews near her sicle sharing
gospel songs and God's Word.
LaFerne's devout love for Christ began after her formative years. She
attended services with her parents at Parchester First Baptist Church and
Vista Community Church of God. Upon her recommitment in later years
she attended various churches with friends and loved it. She was a
member of Green Pastures lndependent Faith Church in Richmond until
her health failed her. She truly loved the Lord.
LaFerne is preceded in death by her parents; her brothers, Tyree Cook
(May l992) and Clifford Cool (June 1983); her sisters, twin LaVerne
Cool (at birth June 1938), Myrtle Cook-Payne (May 2015), and Ruby
Jewell Cool-Price (June 2018). Also preceding her in death, just 7 days
prior, is her sister-in-law, Velma Hubbard-Cool; nephews, Tyree Cook Jr.
and Michael Price; niece, Theresa Cool-Walker: and one of her favorite
cousins, Dolly Dixon.
LaFerne leaves to cherish her precious memories, her eleven (l I ) nieces
ancl nephews, Treena Dear (Joe), Tamara Larey, Louise Tyler, Alvin Cook
(Joyce), Ronald Price, Anna McGehee (Troy), Yvonne Booth, Jeannette
Price, Kathy Price-Redmon (Albert), Clifford Cook, Jr. (Aretha), and
Delphine Smith. Also, thirty-two (32) great nieces and nephews, including
special great niece Tasha Price, and special great nephew. Kevin
Martin. Her memories will also be shared with forty-two (42) great-great
nieces and nephews and one ( 1 ) great-great-great nephew all located in
California. She also had a special relationship with her cousins, Chester
Harris (Jr), Jack Stiles, and Ransome Scott. LaFerne's memory will carry
on with a host of other relatives and friends.
She will be remembered for her fun-loving spirit, independence, strong
will, "set-you-straight" attitude, and mostly for her love of Christ and the
lyrics about her love for God. She will be cherished in our hearts forever.
Her homegoing has special significance because it marks the end of a
generation on earth for the Cook legacy. So, we say we love you Aunt
Ferne for giving us the gift of family love ancl togetherness for embracing
what our precious Mother Hattie and Daddy Robert taught us, to love the
Lord and take care of family. Rest in God's peace, Aunt Ferne.
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