Faith, family guide ALFA's oldest living member

The Alabama Farmers Federation’s most senior member has two years more maturity than the 103-year-old organization.

That’s Mildred Lewis Cook, a Montgomery County Farmers Federation member who celebrated her 105th birthday in October.

Mildred’s son, Bill Cook, said his mother has lived her life on the foundation of faith, family and farming.

“She loves her Lord and has made that relationship a high priority in life,” said Bill, the Federation District 9 director. “She loves her family and shows it with her actions. She also loves Alfa and the Federation because they stand for the same values she does.”

When celebrating his mother’s birthday, Bill wondered if Mildred was the Federation’s oldest member. He approached Federation CFO Phillip Johns, who confirmed she was.

Born in Sweet Water, Mildred and her five siblings were accustomed to hard work and rural living.

“I had a very happy childhood in a small country town in Marengo County,” Mildred said. “I remember carrying water to my dad when he was plowing the fields. Later, I watched him start the Sweet Water Cotton Gin in the ‘20s.”

*Faith and family guide Mildred Cook’s life. The Cook family matriarch, center, has profoundly impacted her three children, seven grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.*

The Great Depression and World War II colored Mildred’s youth. She recalls the devastation both events caused.

“I can’t think of anything that it (the Great Depression) didn’t impact,” said Mildred, who was a teenager during that time of scarcity and struggle. “People had to plow up their yards to grow their own food.”

Following the Depression, Mildred earned a teaching degree at what is now the University of Montevallo.

“College was nothing like it is now,” Mildred said. “It was rare to attend college. I was blessed to be able to go.”

After graduation, she and several friends moved to California to join the war effort. Fellow Alabamians there included Floyd Cook of Camden, a Marine who went on to fight in the Pacific Theater. The two married in 1944.

“I would not want to repeat wartime,” said Mildred, who worked as a secretary at a Los Angeles shipyard. “It was pitiful to see the ships come in for repair after being bombed in battle. I’m thankful we lived through those tough times.”

Mildred and Floyd returned to Alabama and began raising three children on their cattle and timber farm in Marengo County. Mildred taught, while Floyd was a rural mail carrier. In 1966, they moved to Montgomery, where Floyd began managing Cassco, the greenhouse and nursery supply division of floral and home decor company Caffco International.

Change has been a common factor for Mildred, whose status as a member of the Greatest Generation is increasingly rare. Floyd passed away in 1992, and Mildred has just one living sibling, Joyce Kerby of Demopolis.

A constant is Mildred’s love for family and Jesus. The matriarch’s three children — Ann Edwards, Lydia Benefield and Bill — have made her a grandmother to seven and great-grandmother to 14.

“There could never be a better mother, wife, grandmother or friend than Mildred Cook,” said Bill with agreement from his sisters. “She is the best example of a true Christian. She’s selfless and puts others’ needs first. Mama says she doesn’t know why the good Lord let her live so long. She’s ready to go anytime and looks forward to seeing her family and friends in Heaven.”

Courtesy of Alabama Farmers Federation.