Notes for Eulalia COOK
The Greenville News - Tuesday, July 17, 2001
Eulalia Cook-Gonzales, Alajuela, Costa Rica
Mrs. Eulalia Cook-Gonzales, 87, retired United Methodist Missionary and
Founder of Alfalit International Inc., died Saturday morning, July 14,
2001, at the home of friends in Alajuela, Costa Rica.
Mrs. Cook-Gonzales was an ordained minister of the Methodist Church in
Cuba, and a member of the South Carolina Annual Conference of the United
Methodist Church. Born Nov. 7, 1913, in Little River, she was the daughter
of the late Emily Cox Cook and the Rev. John Edward Cook. She was a
graduate of Davenport Junior College, Lenoir, N.C., and Columbia College
in Columbia. After teaching for several years in the public schools of South
Carolina, she attended Scarritt College for Christian Workers in Nashville,
Tenn., where she received an advanced degree. Later, she attended post-
graduate courses at Union Theological Seminary, Columbia University,
Vanderbilt University, Scarritt, and Candler School of Theology, Emory
University.
Mrs. Cook-Gonzales began her missionary service in rural Cuba in 1940.
From the outset she recognized the great obstacle of widespread illiteracy
and so began an early literacy campaign. She founded and directed the
Department of the Rural Church of Union Theological Seminary in Matanzas,
Cuba, and was instrumental in beginning Branscomb Publications, a
forerunner of Alfalit.
In 1960, because of the political environment in Cuba, it became necessary
for her and others in the mission field to leave. Thereafter she lived
primarily in Costa Rica, but worked and traveled extensively throughout
Central and South America. During this time she and others established the
Alfalit program, which is devoted to spreading the Christian faith through
literacy, literature, basic education, nutrition and community development.
Mrs. Cook-Gonzales' writings for Alfalit and other publishers included six
books for new readers. Alfalit has enjoyed significant growth and now is
active not only in Central and South American, but also in portions of
Africa, Europe, and the United States.
Following her retirement from active service in the mission field, she
returned to the United States where she served for 10 years as director
of the founder's office of Alfalit, which had earlier moved its headquarters
to Miami, Fla.
In 1982, she married Don Justo Gonzales, a widower. He and his first wife,
Luisa, had been co-founders of Alfalit and had also left Cuba in the early
1960's. He died in 1994. In later years, because of declining health, Mrs.
Cook-Gonzales chose to return to Costa Rica to live with friends.
Surviving are two sisters, Sue Cook of Hampton, and Elizabeth "Betty" Gaddy
(R.R. Jr.) of Fork; a brother, W.A. "Al" Cook, of Fripp Island; a stepson,
Justo Gonzales, of Atlanta, Ga.; and several nieces and nephews. Preceding
her death were a sister, Ovaline Cook; and two brothers, the Rev. Dr. Pierce
E. Cook Sr. and John Edward Cook Jr.
A memorial service will be held in Costa Rica. Another, as yet unscheduled,
will be held at Pergamus United Methodist Church near Lake City, with
interment at the Cook Cemetery.
The family suggests that those who wish may make memorials to the Eulalia
Fund, Alfalit International, Inc., 8125 NW 33 St., Miami, FL 33122.
Brockington Funeral Home, Lake City, is in charge.
| HOME | EMAIL | SURNAMES |
Sources for this web site are many, including:
Ola Cook Timmons, Captain John Timmons and his Descendants by Kathy Dodge Loyd, H. F. Prioleau, Happy Heritage by Cannon,
Sermons in Stone by Jason Cockfield, Minute Books of the Hebron Baptist Church, Our Kin by Bernice McCutcheon,
Three Rivers Historical Society,
Old Darlington District Genealogy Chapter,
Berkeley County Historical Society,
Huguenot Settlers in North America,
and the US Census.
Page built by Gedpage Version 2.20 ©2000 on 05 January 2008