A Gentle Giant: A True Man of God

By Reverend Glencie Rhedrick

Saturday, January 11, 2010, Rev. Dr. George Cook, Pastor Emeritus was celebrated by the Greater Mt. Sinai Church family and many friends of the community. A native of Jefferson County, Alabama, he served in the United States Army, attended Miles College in Birmingham and received his Master of Divinity and a Degree in Counseling from the Interdenominational Theological Center of Morehouse College.

The service was well attended by ministers, and Executive Board Members of the United Missionary Baptist Association. Minister’s Wives showed their support for Former First Lady Ruby Cook as they sat together wearing yellow roses. Greater Mt. Sinai Missionary Baptist Church presented Sister Ruby Cook a portrait of she and her husband that will be placed in the church for all to see and remember the life and legacy of their beloved Rev. Dr. George Cook.

Dr. Cook is described by the many ministers and community representatives: Rev. Dr. Betty Erwin, pastor of Watts Grove and First Vice Moderator of the United Missionary Baptist Association, shared many thoughts, but one particular quote stood out; when you have a disagreement with a person take them to lunch and discuss the matter over food. You can solve many concerns over a meal; Rev. Dr. Peter Wherry, pastor of Mayfield Memorial Baptist Church and former Moderator of the United Missionary Baptist Association stated, “he’s run ahead of us, he was always available to speak with me, and Sister Ruby, please know we will always be a phone call away; Rev. Eric Miller, pastor of Trinity Baptist Church, grew up in Greater Mt. Sinai and remembers the hospitality shown during the transitioning of his father. He remembered how easy it was to talk with Dr. Cook; and Rev. Dr. Fred Gibson, pastor of Greater Providence Baptist Church spoke of his sense of humor and his awareness of what was needed to be a healthy pastor and church. Many of the pastors and ministers remember one of Dr. Cook’s favorite quotes which was, “stay strong and hang in there.”

Under his leaderships there were some first and only as he ordained the first woman, Rev. Lucille Taylor who now serves as an Associate Minister for First Mt Calvary Baptist Church. And, the advice he shared with her was, “Stand up, Speak Up and Shut Up.”

Rev. Tony Williams, Associate Minister for Greater Mt. Sinai called Dr. Cook his minister, his friend and his care minister. Trustee Miller Jamerson, shared the wishes of his beloved Pastor Cook, “tell them I am a risk taker.” His vision for the Greater Mt. Sinai family, be a full-time caring church that searches for the lost. Sister Ruby and Dr. Cook exemplified pure love. A Wife beloved for 57 years; Trustee Jamerson thanked Sister Cook for sharing her husband with them for 30 years. He not only thanked his beloved wife, but his children and grandchildren.

Rev. Dr. Major Stewart, Greater Mt. Sinai’s current pastor summed up “The Man, the Minister, the Pastor and the Community Leader,” as he was “In it for the people.”