Jeanette Cooke

Jeanette Freeman Cooke (February 16, 1935 -

Biography

Jeanette Freeman was born in Norton, Virginia, the daughter of Rev Gordon and Martha Ellen Freeman. She had ten siblings. From an early age, she began singing and playing guitar at her father's revival meetings. She married Hubert Cooke in 1953. After their children were born, the two began performing in 1962 billed as The Cooke Duet.

As their sons James, Ronny, and Donny each turned 14, they joined their parents. The group name became The Cooke Duet & Sons and later The Singing Cookes. In 1977, they released what would become a signature song, "He Rows Me Over the Tide."

Over the years, one of Cooke's trademarks was wearing a corsage on stage. In 2022, she celebrated 60 years traveling and singing with her family.

Awards

Naomi Sego Living Legend Award (2010)
The JD Sumner Living Legend Diamond Award (2022)
Tri-State Gospel Music Hall of Fame (2024)
SGMA Hall Of Fame (2025)

Songwriter's Résumé

(Partial List)

Don't Take My Mountain Away
He Loved Me More And More
He Must Have Walked The Lowest Valley
Homecoming In The Sky
Mama Needs No Marker
Mount Calvary
My God Knows What I Need
The First Sound After Death
They've Moved Our Reunion To Heaven