Jean Cook

Jean's life was a blend of artistry and loving service to others. Born in Veto, AL in 1944, she graduated from Bridgeforth High School in Pulaski, TN at just 16. Talented, intelligent, and fiercely independent, she moved to Chicago, IL immediately after graduation to pursue a singing career. She found that career singing with R&B star Tyrone Davis, gaining billing as his little sister and earning the stage name Jean Davis. In 1970, she became lead singer of the trio The Facts of Life under the management of Soul legend Millie Jackson who’d come to be one of her best friends for the next 50 years.

In 1982, Jean met and married the love of her life, Elgia Cook. He provided Jean the space and opportunity to pursue her greatest passions: her love for God and catering. She earned her degree in culinary arts and food service and opened Jean Cook’s Catering which she owned and operated for 25 years before moving to Nashville, TN. She also joined Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago, IL where she served faithfully under the pastorate of her dearest friend and mentor, Reverend Dr. Jeremiah A. Wright, Jr. 

After retiring to Nashville in 1999, Jean accepted her call to ministry. She returned to school to complete her Bachelor of Arts in Bible & Theology and was later ordained as a minister at The Temple Church where she served as Director of Samaritan Ministries outreach ministry. In 2018, she left The Temple Church to dedicate her time to the full-time care of her husband Elgia and support her nephew’s pastorship of Hicks Tabernacle MBC where she served as an associate minister dedicated to social outreach. Jean was preceded in death by her parents, Louetta and Luther Holt, Jr.  

She leaves behind four children: Carlton (Sharon); Larvette; Patrice (Pinklon); and Brandi-el (Kelcey); eight grandchildren: Courtney, Creighton, Sharonda, Warren, Briana, Tavien, Nya (Ashley), Nina; one great-granddaughter, Penelope, her siblings: John, Lena, Leroy, Paul, Ronnie (Jackie), James, Clarisse, Lisa, Regina, Stephanie, Larry (Brenda), and Geneva, her most cherished little sister who faithfully cared for Jean during her illness; her great-aunt, Marcella; aunt, Gertrude (Reuben); and a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins whom she loved as her own children. Jean’s unwavering faith is most evident in her favorite scripture, the 27th Psalm.