Marselene Cook

Obituary

Ms. Marselene Smith Cook, daughter of Nathaniel and Annie Mae Smith, was born July 9, 1939. Her earthly pilgrimage ended July 1, 2023, as she was called to her eternal resting place. Marcie, as she was known by family and friends, was reared in Granite Quarry and Salisbury, NC, where she received her education from the Roman County Public School System, and Livingstone College, Salisbury, NC. She later matriculated at Trinity College, Washington, DC receiving a Masters of Arts Degree in Early Childhood Education.

At Livingstone College, Marcie was a member of the cheering squad. She also held the prestigious title of “Miss Livingstone.” Upon graduation from Livingstone College, Marcie took a teaching position in Charlotte, NC for six years. She later relocated to Washington, DC. There she taught for twenty years at Turner Elementary School. Marcie enjoyed a successful career focused on teaching elementary school and head start students. However, her dedication, love, and desire to help students, were far greater than classroom teaching. She provided foster care for at least 50 children; out of those she adopted a son, Danny. In 1976, Marcie married Richard Cook, the marriage ended in divorce in 1984. Two stepsons (Darwin and Sean) remained in the home until graduation from high school and college.

Marselene was an extremely caring person; extremely committed to others. She was blessed with a way of making others feel good when in her presence. Marcie was an excellent baker; everyone favored her pineapple pies, which were requested by many for holidays and special events. Her love of bowling exceeded her love for baking, her love for pinochle exceeded the prior two, but her love for Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. far exceeded them all!!!

In the D.C. area, Marcie was a member of From the Heart Ministries Church for over twenty years. She loved her church family dearly, as a faithful and dedicated member, she believed in participation in church and organizations. Dear to her heart was her work with the younger children in the nursery. After moving to Lumberton, NC she attended Faith Tabernacle Church in St Pauls, NC.

Marcie moved to Lumberton, NC with her son Danny in 2011. She loved her new city and met many friends. She lived in Lumberton until her health began to decline. Her Goddaughter, Sherwynn Scott, moved her to Greensboro where she lived until her death.

Loving and lasting memories will always be cherished by her son, Danny D. Cook, four grandchildren: Layla Mackenzie, Dynasty Dionne Miracle Cook, Ayden Porter, and Eli Carter Cook, two brothers, Sammy Smith of Salisbury, NC, and Claude Smith, and her niece Angela Smith, Granite Quarry, NC, special Goddaughters whom she loved dearly, Tracey Lassiter, Charlene and Darlene Wilson, Donna Dias, Leslie Ellis, Sandy Love and Sherwynn Scott, and two sister friends, H. Lassye Thacker and Bernice Smith.

A memorial service will be held on Sunday, July 9, 2023, at 1:00 PM at Floyd Memorial Chapel, 809 E. 5th Street in Lumberton, NC.

Following the memorial service, all are welcome to join the family for the repass at Pier 41 Seafood Restaurant, 2401 Elizabethtown Road in Lumberton, NC.