Sylvia (Huffman) Cook

It was said there are three words in the English vocabulary more solemn than all others.  They are life, death, and eternity.  Life is more solemn than death; to live is more serious than to die.  A death gives one more abundant life.  Death is a joyful messenger of peace whose hands open to the weary pilgrim, the gate of immortality and lets the oppressed go free.

         After seventy-eight years, seven months and seventeen days, a busy life came to a close on Thursday, January 21, 2016 at 10:47 a.m. when Sylvia, known as “Tue” by her family members was called from her earthly home.

     Sylvia Huffman Cook was born June 4, 1937 in Hayti, MO to the late Iola and Sylvester Huffman, Sr.  Being raised on a farm, and the oldest child of six siblings, Sylvia had to take responsibility for raising her siblings while her parents chopped and picked cotton.

     Sylvia moved to Gary, Indiana in 1957.  She later left Indiana  and moved to Springfield, IL in 1995.  In 1997, she joined Pilgrim Rest M.B. Church in Springfield, under the leadership of Pastor Charles W. Tiner, where she remained a faithful member until her return to Hayti.

     She worked at Memorial Medical Center in Springfield, IL until her retirement in 2004.  She then moved back home to Hayti, MO and joined Mt. Zion M.B. Church under the leadership of Pastor Luther Butler, Jr. and later under Bishop Antonio Matthews.

     She was preceded in death by her parents, three siblings, and her only born son, Dennis R. Huffman, Sr.

     She leaves to cherish her memory: one brother, Jessie Huffman (Betty) of Detroit, MI, one sister, Dorothy Thomas (Russell) of Hayti, MO, one adopted brother, DeAngelo Huffman of Cape Girardeau, MO, her grandchildren, great grandchildren, great-great grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

     In Sylvia’s lifetime, she has seen, talked and played with eight (8) generations of family members.

     As much as our hearts do sadly yearn for one more glimpse of her smiling face, which is now filled with God’s amazing grace; she was only passing through the valley to be with Jesus to live forever more.

     Having lived a beautiful and fruitful life, Sylvia “Tue” Huffman Cook will always be loved, remembered, and truly missed by those who knew her.

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