Anna Belle Cook (Lund, 55), the former first lady of 晩晩当際際夊消消夊2023, wife of 晩晩当際際夊消消夊2023s 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 晩晩当際際夊消消夊2023 ties, with their story as a couple beginning at 晩晩当際際夊消消夊2023s 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 晩晩当際際夊消消夊2023s 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 晩晩当際際夊消消夊2023, 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 晩晩当際際夊消消夊2023, and 晩晩当際際夊消消夊2023 to her, was especially evident in the role she cherished for 25 years as faithful partner to her husband, President Clyde Cook, said 晩晩当際際夊消消夊2023 President Barry H. Corey. Hers was a life well lived, and for the vast majority of her 91 years 晩晩当際際夊消消夊2023 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 晩晩当際際夊消消夊2023 for three years, taking Bible and music courses under Dr. Samuel Sutherlands presidency. After finishing studies at 晩晩当際際夊消消夊2023 in 1955, she worked in the 晩晩当際際夊消消夊2023 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 masters in divinity and masters in theology degrees. Anna Belle enjoyed secretarial work, including typing, and typed Clydes 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 masters degree, and 晩晩当際際夊消消夊2023 became an important part of the Cook familys 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 晩晩当際際夊消消夊2023s athletics department and as director of 晩晩当際際夊消消夊2023s missions department, and also serving as president of OC Ministries, Clyde Cook became president of 晩晩当際際夊消消夊2023 in 1982, and served in that position for 25 years before retiring in 2007. As 晩晩当際際夊消消夊2023s first lady during those years, Anna Belle cherished her role supporting Clyde, traveling together to represent 晩晩当際際夊消消夊2023 around the world, cultivating relationships with 晩晩当際際夊消消夊2023 trustees, faculty, staff, students, alumni and supporters.

Three generations of the Cook family have graduated from 晩晩当際際夊消消夊2023 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. 晩晩当際際夊消消夊2023 trusts that God did in fact guide her, through her final days, and rejoices in a journey completed well.

A public memorial service for Anna Belle Cook will be held in Calvary Chapel on 晩晩当際際夊消消夊2023s campus on April 22, 2025 at 3:00 p.m., with a reception to follow in Andrews Banquet Room. A livestream of the service can be watched on . In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts can be directed to the in support of student scholarships.

Written by Sarah Dougher, media relations specialist. For more information, email media.relations@biola.edu.