Charlene S. Cook

Charlene Smith Cook, a cherished soul and wife of C. Raymond “Ray” Cook, went to heaven at the age of 81 on Friday, May 24, 2024, after a courageous ten-year battle with Alzheimer’s disease. Her final moments were spent in the comforting presence of her family at her care home in Denton, Texas.

Born in South Portland, Maine, the daughter of Clifford Baldwin and Mildred (Butterfield) Smith, Charlene was a beacon of light to all who knew her. After graduating from South Portland High School, she furthered her education in business and shorthand at Burdett College in Boston, Massachusetts. Inspired by the 1960’s classic, “Where the Boys Are,” Charlene and her best friend at the time moved to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, where she met the love of her life, Ray. Their love story was one for the ages, beginning with a proposal that featured a ring inside a box of Cracker Jacks and lasting for almost 60 treasured years.

Charlene's journey through life was a testament to her unwavering commitment to her loved ones. With her husband Ray, she crafted a warm and loving home in Lighthouse Point, Florida, becoming the heart of her household and earning the endearing moniker "Mrs. Cunningham." Her nurturing spirit was evident in the way she raised her two cherished children, enveloping them in love and care. In her professional life, Charlene dedicated fifteen years to Atlantic Technical School, where she shared her exceptional clerical talents before retiring as a respected secretary. As devoted members of the First Baptist Church of Pompano, Charlene and her family were pillars of their community.

She leaves behind a legacy of love and cherished memories as the beloved wife of 58 years of C. Raymond “Ray” Cook, the adored mother of Brian Scott Cook (Tiffany) and Karin L. Cook, and the loving grandmother “Grammy” of William Scott “Wil” Cook and Emily Taylor Cook. Charlene's warmth extended to her siblings, Russell Smith (Bette), Rodger Smith (Mary), Sharon Ward, and her in-laws, Larry Cook (Sharon) and Mary Cook Entrialgo (late Luis), as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Charlene's life was a testament to the enduring power of love, family, and faith, and she will be deeply missed by all who were fortunate enough to know her.

A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, June 11, 2024, at 11:00am, at First Baptist Church of Pompano Beach. Private burial will follow in the City of Pompano Beach Cemetery.

Please consider a donation in her honor to the First Baptist Church of Pompano Beach,138 NE 1st Street, Pompano Beach, FL 33060.

It can be a great comfort to a grieving person or family to hear that others thought highly of their loved one, too. If you knew and admired Charlene be, sure to let the family know by writing a few words in the "Memory" section of her obituary on the Kraeer - Fairchild Funeral Home website. www.KraeerFairchild.com