Janice (Jan) Cook was born on January 3, 1939 the eighth of twelve children to the proud parents of Robert Hawkins and Mary Louise Knight in Birmingham, Alabama.  After graduating from Hooper City High School in Alabama she attended Spelman College, where she obtained her Bachelor’s degree.

Jan and her three sisters moved to southern California from Birmingham, Alabama in 1961 to live with their brother. In 1964, while on her way to the beauty salon, she met the love of her life, Ferdinand DeLawrence Cook. On June 25, 1968 she married Ferdinand and their union was blessed with 3 children Mark, Janet and Pamela. They were living in the Bay Area when Ferdinand’s job relocated their family back to Los Angeles.  Janice was a devoted Christian woman, faithful wife for 53 years, extraordinary mother, and the matriarch of her family. She had a warm presence that commanded respect and adoration.

Jan became a loyal member of Second Mt. Nebo Baptist Church in 1977 under the leadership of the late Rev. Willie J. Glenn. She held many official and unofficial titles in the church. She was the church clerk, choir member, she served on the bereavement ministry, food ministry, headed the black history presentations and welcomed all the new members. She was good at taking charge without a second thought and volunteering her own children and grandchildren for different tasks.

Jan had a genuine love for everyone, but she had a very special love for all children. She, along with her sister Loretta, pioneered and operated the Second Mt. Nebo Daycare Center for over 40 years. Together they evolved the daycare into a thriving business that usually had a waitlist during enrollment season. The families enrolled at the daycare sometimes stretched over three and four generations. The daycare was run with a gentle loving touch that greeted you with a hug and kiss and said goodbye with the same warm hug and kiss. 

God blessed the world with this great lady for 82 years. Jan was a strong, smart, well-spoken woman who would go out of her way to ensure everyone around her was comfortable. She had such a pure heart and gave the best, honest advice to anyone who asked. She was known for having multiple young women in her life that she mentored and that called her “mom”.  Jan’s elegant style and fashion sense was complimented and mirrored by many. Her eye for design was often unmatched and inspirational to those around her. Jan was a true wonder woman and we know heaven is happy to have her.

Jan leaves to cherish her loving memory her remarkable husband Ferdinand D. Cook, one son Mark Eugene Cook and two daughters Janet Rita Cook-Begley and Pamela Branch; one son in-law Anthony Branch; two grandchildren Earon McLean and Sidney Woods; one great-grandchild Earon McLean; three siblings Dr. Melvin Hawkins, Sr., Roland Hawkins, Sr. and Jeanette Perryman; six sisters-in-law Julia Hawkins, Genisia Hawkins, Lois Snell, Jaqueline Roberts, Annetta Eberhart and Judith Cook; Four brothers-in-law, James Cook, Sr., Richard Cook, Raymond Cook, Sr., Ted Cook and a host of nephews, nieces, cousins and friends.

I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth. — Psalm 121: 1 - 2