Norma West-Cook

"I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith." Norma Jean Jackson was born the fourth child to George and Addie Jackson in Jefferson County, Bessemer, Alabama on January 10, 1951. She confessed hope in Christ at an early age on one "Monday". She graduated proudly from G.W. Carver High School in 1969. She was a cheerleader and loved to play volleyball and other sports. She was also Homecoming Queen. She graduated from Bessemer State College and also attended Tennessee State University majoring in Business Administration. Her job career began as one of the first African Americans to work at the Loveman's Department Store. She was previously employed at Blue Cross Blue Shield. She was currently employed at Social Security Administration as a claims authorizer in the Inquiries & Expediting Unit; she truly enjoyed her job as a Union Representative and devoted 38 years of service. She was a Christian servant and a faithful member of the New Salem Missionary Baptist Church where she served in various capacities: Secretary of the Trustee Ministry; member of the Finance Committee; Sunday School Teacher of Class Number Two; Assistant Superintendent; President of the Christian Education Committee; Chairperson of the Leadership Council; member of the Mission Ministry; Secretary of the Matrons; Past President of the Number One Choir; Past Organist of the Church for over 30 years; Vacation Bible School Instructor; Bible Study Ministry; Culinary Ministry; Van Ministry; Past Youth Leader and Young Women Auxiliary Supervisor. She was a member of the Christian Aid and President of the Sisters and Brothers Benevolent Society. She was a member of the Mount Pilgrim Baptist District Association Matrons Department and the Mount Pilgrim Baptist Number Two District Conference of Christian Education. Past Instructor for the Mount Pilgrim Baptist District Congress of Christian Education. Delegates in the Alabama State Missionary Baptist Women Auxiliary-Matrons Department and the National Baptist Congress of Christian Education- Youth Department. She wrote, played and directed many skits in support of these ministries. She was a member of the Geneva Chapter of Order of Eastern Star #59. She served as a Secretary of Shades Valley Temple # 685. Norma loved singing, studying and teaching God's word. An avid reader and very knowledgeable of many subjects. She loved people, and loved helping others. She truly loved her family and friends. She taught and trained her children to love the Lord and to serve Him. She will be deeply missed by all who knew her. She departed this life on Wednesday, April 27, 2011 at UAB Hospital in Birmingham, Alabama. She leaves to mourn her passing: husband, Willie James Cook; two loving and caring daughters , Natalie (Eric) Tinker-Fuller of Helena and Jasmine (Roy) West- Peterson of Madison; one loving son Norri Tinker of Bessemer; two adopted daughters, Rachel Duncan and Stacey West; three brothers, George (Maxine) Jackson, Jr. , Jimmy Ed (Mureldene) Jackson both of Bessemer and Forrest (Shirley) Jackson of Birmingham; three sister, Diane (Rev. William E.) Scott of Birmingham, Dorothy Mae (Booker T.) Harris Bessemer, Paulette (Frederick) Devaughn of College Park, Georgia; adopted sister, Janice Smith of Bessemer; one aunt, Mary L. Peggins of Lipscomb; six grandchildren, Norri Cunningham, Norri Tinker, Jr., Erin Fuller, Niyah Tinker, Nathan Fuller and Addison Peterson. She treasured the special relationship she had with her nieces, Dianna Scott, Lisa Sanders and nephews, William E. Scott, Forrest Jackson,. Jr. and Christopher Scott; "Golden Girls": Mildred Shears, Leniece Williams and Patricia Davis; special friends, Barbara Snead, Ann Graham, Catherine Davis, Carolyn Williams, Wilhemenia Matthews and Sonjia Spigner. She worked while it was day, because she knew that night was coming in her life. She loved the Lord! One of her favorites songs and testimony: "Because He Lives, I can Face Tomorrow."