On Monday, April 14, 2025, God called Mr. Claiborne E. Cooke affectionately known as "Cooke" home, with his family by his side. He was born October 15, 1939 to the late Claiborne and Sallie Mae Cooke. He was preceded in death by seven siblings, Pearlie Mae, twins, Helene and Merlene, Elvira, Rose, Betty, and Daisy; and his children, Rosetta Wooden and George Elliott.

Mr. Cooke attended Surry County public schools. Being the only boy of eight kids, he helped his father tend to the farm. He retired from Stone Container after 30 plus years as a crane operator.

He was a man who truly loved the Lord. Being careful to always let his light shine. He was a dedicated  member of Mt. Carmel Baptist Church, whom the Pastor is Reverend William Roberts, in Hopewell, VA. He had many roles in his father's house: Trustee, Pastor's Aid, Senior Choir, Judge Brown Memorial Choir, Van Driver, and kept church grounds grass cut when he could just to name a few.

His hobby and favorite pastime, was to be outside riding his zero turn lawn mower. You could often find him out in his workshop cleaning and sharpening blades. Mr. Cooke was an absolute jack of all trade: could change an engine in a car, build a shed, and could fix just about anything. Until his health started to decline. He also liked to go fishing. If there was anything he could do to help someone he did. He never met a stranger. He loved being with family laughing, dancing, and having a good time.

We couldn't have picked a better: Husband, Father, Brother, Uncle, Grandfather, or Friend if God had let us pick for ourselves.  Mr. Cooke leaves behind to cherish his memory: wife, Rosemary Cooke; children, Fannie Williams (Michael), Wanda Meekins (Hampton), Sylvia Cooke-Parham (Rodney), Lucy Walker (Emmett), Samuel Walker, Doanld Walker, Elnora Walker, Fred Walker (Rachel), and Harold Walker; sisters-in-law, Helen Winfield, Ruth Bland (Abarham), and Judy Epps; grandchildren, Rasshawn Cooke, Chyna Parham-Bland, Timothy Cooke (Tamisha), William Harris 3rd, Daniel Cooke, Daniella Cooke, Michelle Crum, Lee Walker, Lawernce Walker, Andre Hamlin, DeAndre Hamlin, Nydasha Walker, Martell Walker, Cheyon Kee, Erica Walker, Michelle Walker, Lekeisha Solis (Andres), Tesha Wooden, Valerie Parker, Kim Elliott, and Alphonso Elliott; devoted niece, Trina Bailey; devoted friends, Willie Gholson and Joe Davis; a host of great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, and friends.

Services will be held 1:00 P.M., Saturday, April 26, 2025, at Mt. Carmel Baptist Church, 925 Arlington Road, Hopewell, the Rev. William Roberts, Pastor, eulogist. The interment to follow at Swan's Point Baptist Church Cemetery.

J.M. Wilkerson Funeral Establishment, Inc., 102 South Avenue, Petersburg, VA, (804) 732-8911, watch the funeral services live online at www.jmwilkersonsince1874.com.