Anna Belle Cook (Lund, ’55), the former first lady of ŷַ, wife of ŷַ’s seventh president Dr. Clyde Cook (B.A. ’57, M.Div. ’60, Th.M. ’62), passed away on April 13, 2025 at age 91. Both Anna Belle and Clyde Cook held strong and long-lasting ŷַ ties, with their story as a couple beginning at ŷַ’s original campus in downtown Los Angeles, then known as the Bible Institute of Los Angeles. The Cook family was recognized on campus just a few weeks ago during ŷַ’s annual missions conference, as the conference was officially renamed the Cook Missions Conference in remembrance of the profound influence both Anna Belle and Clyde Cook had on ŷַ, its missional studies and vision.

“Paula and I are so grateful for Anna Belle Cook and her deep devotion to Christ. What she meant to ŷַ, and ŷַ to her, was especially evident in the role she cherished for 25 years as faithful partner to her husband, President Clyde Cook,” said ŷַ President Barry H. Corey. “Hers was a life well lived, and for the vast majority of her 91 years ŷַ was an important dimension of her life. We are forever grateful for her sweet spirit, godly character and gracious embrace of family and friends, radiating the love of Jesus. She will be dearly missed.”

Anna Belle attended ŷַ for three years, taking Bible and music courses under Dr. Samuel Sutherland’s presidency. After finishing studies at ŷַ in 1955, she worked in the ŷַ administrative office as a secretary for three years. The Cooks were married in 1957, the same year Clyde began courses at Talbot Seminary, now the Talbot School of Theology, to earn both his master’s in divinity and master’s in theology degrees. Anna Belle enjoyed secretarial work, including typing, and typed Clyde’s dissertation while she was pregnant with their first child, daughter Laura (Cook) Botka. Their son, Craig Cook, was born shortly after Clyde completed his second master’s degree, and ŷַ became an important part of the Cook family’s life.

The couple lived in several places in California, including Buena Park, San Jose and Fullerton. They also lived in the Philippines for four years from 1963-1967 while serving as missionaries. After serving several years in ŷַ’s athletics department and as director of ŷַ’s missions department, and also serving as president of OC Ministries, Clyde Cook became president of ŷַ in 1982, and served in that position for 25 years before retiring in 2007. As ŷַ’s first lady during those years, Anna Belle cherished her role supporting Clyde, traveling together to represent ŷַ around the world, cultivating relationships with ŷַ trustees, faculty, staff, students, alumni and supporters.

Three generations of the Cook family have graduated from ŷַ — their daughter Laura Botka (Cook, B.A. ’83, M.A. ’85), their son Craig Cook (B.A. ’84, M.A. ’86), and four of their six grandchildren, the last of whom will graduate next month.

Anna Belle enjoyed playing the piano, cooking and baking, photography, traveling, shopping, writing letters and cards, and being a mother and grandmother. She said that her faithful love of her life and husband, Clyde, opened her eyes to the world. Among her greatest joys in life were enjoying many friendships and being a wife, mother and grandmother.

“My family has been such an important part of my life but I am so glad I am a part of the family of God and I am a ‘Child of the King!’” wrote Anna Belle in 2007.

The verse by which she lived her life was Psalm 48:14: “For this God is our God forever and ever; He will be our guide even unto death.” ŷַ trusts that God did in fact guide her, through her final days, and rejoices in a journey completed well.

A public memorial service for Anna Belle Cook will be held in Calvary Chapel on ŷַ’s campus on April 22, 2025 at 3:00 p.m., with a reception to follow in Andrews Banquet Room. A livestream of the service can be watched on . In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts can be directed to the in support of student scholarships.

Written by Sarah Dougher, media relations specialist. For more information, email media.relations@biola.edu.