Kimberly Ann Tootle Cook

Kimberly Ann Tootle Cook, affectionally known as "Kim Ann" was born November 17, 1966, in Kansas City, Missouri to Larry Clinton Tootle Sr. and Minerva Ann Tootle. Kimberly passed away at home on April 18, 2024. She was preceded in death by her father, Larry Clinton Tootle Sr. Brothers: Larry Clinton Tootle Jr., Royce Tootle and Sister Gina LaChelle Porchia.

Kim was a woman of strength who made friends everywhere she went. She loved family gatherings, life, music, and cooking. Kimberly was reared in the loving household of her fraternal grandmother, Mrs. Fannie Sutton Tootle of Morehead City, North Carolina alongside her brother Larry (LC). Kimberly experienced the warmth of a close-knit family environment. Growing up, she cherished sharing stories of her life with her uncles, aunts, and cousins, fostering strong bonds within her extended family circle.

The opportunity to visit Kansas City, Missouri, provided Kimberly with cherished moments spent alongside her two sisters, Gina and Donna. These visits, particularly in later years, held special significance as the family gathered around the table, listening to stories from her beloved Grandmother "Big Mamma" about days gone by. Christmas dinners were a time of shared traditions and culinary delights, with Kim often engaging in lively conversations with her mother until her voice gave out, jokingly declaring, "Mom, I lost my voice, I can't talk anymore!"

Kim was educated in the Carteret County School District. She graduated from West Carteret High School in 1984. She later furthered her education in Business.

Kimberly was a gifted young woman with a powerful soprano-alto voice and a knack for music, boasting proficiency in playing six different instruments. Later years Kim married U.S. Marine Clarence Cook and relocated to Washington, D.C., where she embarked on a new chapter as Mrs. Cook.

Life in Washington, D.C., and Maryland presented a stark contrast to her humble beginnings in North Carolina, but Kimberly, with her indomitable spirit, faced each challenge fearlessly. Kimberly dedicated over 30 years of service to the Federal Government, all within the U.S. Department of the Navy. Kimberly's dedication and strong work ethic propelled her career forward into the field of Financial Management working in one of the Navy's Comptroller's Office at the Pentagon. She embraced opportunities to attend conference across the United States and previously traveled abroad as part of audit teams to military installations in Italy, Japan, and Hawaii when working for the Naval Inspector General's Office. Kimberly found fulfillment working at the U.S. Pentagon, where she dedicated over 30 years to her career.

Above all, Kimberly found immense pride in her role as a mother to her son, Clarence DeVaughn Cook, and daughter, Taylor Alexandra Cowan. She poured her heart and soul into nurturing and guiding them.

Kimberly was a beacon of hope and resilience, weathering life's storms with unwavering optimism. While her passing leaves a void in our lives, we feel blessed to have shared in her journey, and her memory will forever be cherished as a special child of God. Kimberly will be sadly missed by family and friends. She leaves to cherish her memories, Son Clarence DeVaughn Cook, Daughter, Taylor Alexandria Cowan, Grandson, Kayden Bryant, Mother Minerva Ann Warner (Gilbert), 2 Sisters: Donna M. Jackson (Willis), and Natrica Tootle; 3 brothers: Ron Tootle (Tina), Denon Tootle (Sandra) and Terrance Tootle (Tara-Dawn) -aunt, Rev. Dr. Thelma Tootle Sidberry, uncles, Mr. Kenneth Odell Toodle (Ophelia) and Rev. Dr. Franklin E. Tootle and a host of loving cousins, nieces, nephews, other relatives and dear friends.

A funeral service to honor Kimberly's life will be held at 3 p.m., Saturday, May 4th at St. Luke Missionary Baptist Church, Rev. Dr. Johnie L. Smith, Officiating. Interment will follow at Gethsemane Memorial Park. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service.

Family and friends are welcome to submit online condolences at www.mundenfuneralhome.net.

Arrangements by Ross-Bluford Funeral Home, Clinton, MD and Munden Funeral Home, Morehead City, NC.