Memorial Service for Former First Lady of Biola, Anna Belle Cook скачать в хорошем качестве

Memorial Service for Former First Lady of Biola, Anna Belle Cook

Anna Belle Cook (Lund, ’55), the former first lady of Biola University, wife of Biola’s seventh president Dr. Clyde Cook (B.A. ’57, M.Div. ’60, Th.M. ’62), passed away on April 13, 2025 at age 91. Both Anna Belle and Clyde Cook held strong and long-lasting Biola ties, with their story as a couple beginning at Biola’s original campus in downtown Los Angeles, then known as the Bible Institute of Los Angeles. The Cook family was recognized on campus just a few weeks ago during Biola’s annual missions conference, as the conference was officially renamed the Cook Missions Conference in remembrance of the profound influence both Anna Belle and Clyde Cook had on Biola, its missional studies and vision. “Paula and I are so grateful for Anna Belle Cook and her deep devotion to Christ. What she meant to Biola, and Biola to her, was especially evident in the role she cherished for 25 years as faithful partner to her husband, President Clyde Cook,” said Biola President Barry H. Corey. “Hers was a life well lived, and for the vast majority of her 91 years Biola was an important dimension of her life. We are forever grateful for her sweet spirit, godly character and gracious embrace of family and friends, radiating the love of Jesus. She will be dearly missed.” Anna Belle attended Biola for three years, taking Bible and music courses under Dr. Samuel Sutherland’s presidency. After finishing studies at Biola in 1955, she worked in the Biola administrative office as a secretary for three years. The Cooks were married in 1957, the same year Clyde began courses at Talbot Seminary, now the Talbot School of Theology, to earn both his master’s in divinity and master’s in theology degrees. Anna Belle enjoyed secretarial work, including typing, and typed Clyde’s dissertation while she was pregnant with their first child, daughter Laura (Cook) Botka. Their son, Craig Cook, was born shortly after Clyde completed his second master’s degree, and Biola became an important part of the Cook family’s life. The couple lived in several places in California, including Buena Park, San Jose and Fullerton. They also lived in the Philippines for four years from 1963-1967 while serving as missionaries. After serving several years in Biola’s athletics department and as director of Biola’s missions department, and also serving as president of OC Ministries, Clyde Cook became president of Biola in 1982, and served in that position for 25 years before retiring in 2007. As Biola’s first lady during those years, Anna Belle cherished her role supporting Clyde, traveling together to represent Biola around the world, cultivating relationships with Biola trustees, faculty, staff, students, alumni and supporters. Three generations of the Cook family have graduated from Biola — their daughter Laura Botka (Cook, B.A. ’83, M.A. ’85), their son Craig Cook (B.A. ’84, M.A. ’86), and four of their six grandchildren, the last of whom will graduate next month. Anna Belle enjoyed playing the piano, cooking and baking, photography, traveling, shopping, writing letters and cards, and being a mother and grandmother. She said that her faithful love of her life and husband, Clyde, opened her eyes to the world. Among her greatest joys in life were enjoying many friendships and being a wife, mother and grandmother. “My family has been such an important part of my life but I am so glad I am a part of the family of God and I am a ‘Child of the King!’” wrote Anna Belle in 2007. The verse by which she lived her life was Psalm 48:14: “For this God is our God forever and ever; He will be our guide even unto death.” Biola trusts that God did in fact guide her, through her final days, and rejoices in a journey completed well. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts can be directed to the Biola Fund in support of student scholarships: https://connect.biola.edu/donations-a...