Barbara Jean Dunn Cooke

Barbara Jean Dunn Cooke, a beloved mother, grandmother, aunt, and friend, passed away peacefully with her family by her side on November 2, 2024, at the age of 89.

Born in Waycross, Georgia in 1935, Barbara grew up in a loving home with her parents, Ozell and Marguerite Dunn, and her sister, Elizabeth. She attended Booker T. Washington High School in Miami, Florida where she was a High School Drum Majorette who enjoyed learning.

At the young age of sixteen, Barbara left for college in Alabama and continued her education at Tuskegee Institute. While attending Tuskegee, she met the love of her life, Randolph Cooke, and they were married at the campus chapel in 1956. She graduated from Tuskegee in 1958 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing, then from Ohio State University with a Master of Science degree in Nursing Education, and finally from Nova University with a doctorate degree in Education. After graduating college, Barbara began her career as a nursing educator at Riverside White Cross School of Nursing in Columbus, Ohio. Ever a trailblazer, while teaching at Jefferson Davis Junior College in Gulfport, Mississippi, Barbara integrated the school and the faculty. She finally joined the Sacramento City College (SCC) A.A. Degree Registered Nursing program in 1968 as a Professor of Nursing, teaching both Medical Surgery and her specialty, Pediatrics.

While at Sacramento City College, Barbara made many contributions to the Nursing Department. Barbara taught in the RN program as the pediatric content specialist, which was her specialty care area that supported students over many years.  Her commitment to her students and to her clinical teaching partners at UC Davis Medical Center and Shriner’s Hospital were very commendable contributions to the success of the Sacramento City College Nursing Program.  Her innovation brought a new clinical partnership with Shriner’s Hospital, which provided excellent pediatric, cultural and family-centered experiences to their students. During her career at SCC, Barbara rose to the position of Assistant Dean of Allied Health. She was known for inspiring students to an unwavering commitment of excellence until she retired in 2002.

Outside of work, Barbara enjoyed playing the piano, visiting with and enjoying her friends and “Golden Girlfriends,” creating ceramic wares for her side business – Queen Bee Arts and Crafts, and spending time and traveling with her family across the United States, Europe and Africa. She loved her sorority, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, where she was honored to be a Pearl Soror, having been a member since 1953, and cherished her friendships among the members of the Sacramento Chapter of The Links, Incorporated. Barbara was a kind and supportive person who always cared for others before herself and enjoyed hosting gumbo parties and birthday celebrations for friends and family. She will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.

Barbara is survived by her children, Keith Cooke (Denise), Shelley Cooke Reeves, Valerie Cooke Rhodes (Rudolph), Deborah Cooke Jackson (Derrick); her grandchildren Ariell, Taylor, Xavier, Montgomery, Quint, Nicole, Keith, Jessica, Jasmine, and Jorrie; her nieces Tracey, Isabella, Gwendolyn, and LaShanni; and her in-laws Matthew, Diane, and David. Numerous other family members and friends will also miss her dearly. She was preceded in death by her parents, Ozell and Marguerite Dunn, her husband, Randolph Cooke, her sister Elizabeth, and her niece Carolyn Dixson.

A homegoing service will be held on Monday, November 25, 2024, starting at 11:00 am at Calvary Cemetery and Funeral Center at 7100 Verner Avenue, Citrus Heights, CA 95621. To view the services on-line, use the following Live Stream web link: https://youtube.com/@calvarycfcs?si=nrQN8a9j4a7KzXMD

You may click the link and look for Barbara Cooke’s name on Monday, November 25, 2024, at 11am.

In lieu of flowers, the family invites guests to donate to the Dr. Barbara Dunn Cooke and Attorney Randolph Cooke-Nursing/Teaching Profession Scholarship-Emeriti at Sacramento City College. CLICK HERE TO DONATE – Step 1: From the “I Want to Support – Make a Selection” drop down menu, select the “Sacramento City College Fund”; Step 2: In the box labeled “Comments/Fund Designation,” type that it is a gift to the SCC Dr. Barbara Dunn Cooke & Atty. Randolph Cooke Nursing/Teaching Profession Scholarship. Step 3: Enter Your Information and Payment Information.

Or, checks made payable to “Los Rios Colleges Foundation”, noting the “SCC Dr. Barbara Dunn Cooke & Atty. Randolph Cooke Scholarship” in the memo, may be mailed to: SCC Dr. Barbara Dunn Cooke and Attorney Randolph Cooke Scholarship Los Rios Colleges Foundation 1919 Spanos Court Sacramento, CA 95825

Photos of Barbara, family, and friends along with additional information can be found here: https://photos.app.goo.gl/F9skg87c5h3nCJ119

Barbara, you will forever be in our hearts. We love you.