Democrat Club Donates Book in Memory of Ed Cokley

Dexter, Missouri - Ruth Gibson, representing the Stoddard County Democrat Club, donated "At Mama's Knee: Mothers and Race in Black and White", a book written by April Ryan to the Keller Public Library in memory of Orlie Edward Cokley.

Mr. Cokley passed away on February 5, 2017 at the age of 66 in Dayton, Ohio.

"In her first book, The Presidency in Black and White, journalist April Ryan examined race in America through her experience as a White House reporter. In this book, she shifts the conversation from the White House to every home in America. At Mama’s Knee looks at race and race relations through the lessons that mothers transmit to their children. As a single African American mother in Baltimore, Ryan has struggled with each gut wrenching, race related news story to find the words to convey the right lessons to her daughters. To better understand how mothers transfer to their children wisdom on race and race relations, she reached out to other mothers—prominent political leaders like Hillary Clinton and Valerie Jarrett, celebrities like Cindy Williams, and others like Sybrina Fulton, Trayvon Martin’s mother, whose lives have been impacted by prominent race related events. At a time when Americans still struggle to address racial division and prejudice, their stories remind us that attitudes change from one generation to the next and one child at a time."

Before Ed passed away he wrote a letter to his dear friends.........

"This has truly been a spectacular life.  I have made some great friends along the way.  We have made countless great memories and have enjoyed some great laughs together.

It's been a loving life.  I married the love of my life, we had two wonderful boys and raised them to have wonderful families of their own.  I am so very proud.  This is the definition of a beautiful life.

I will be with you always.

It's been a very fulfilling life.  I am so thankful to have met so many of you wonderful people through life's journey.  You have each touched my life and my heart.  Even if we couldn't always keep in touch, please know that I have always appreciated our friendship.

Now I am moving on from this really great life, as we all eventually do.  As I reminisce, I feel so privileged to have lived this incredible journey that has led to this day.  I have no regrets, and couldn't have asked for more.  I leave my loving family and some great people, but feel at peace also knowing that I leave behind our great memories.

Thank you each for being my dear friend, my other half, and my loving family.

A special thank you to my dearest wife - my Suzie, my sweet darling.  You have always been the love of my life, my rock.  You have been the greatest mother to our boys and managed to effortlessly give us all of your love, support and friendship for the last 48 years.

You have especially been my saving grace this last year and deserve a standing ovation.  Thank you Sue!

You have always been my angel, and now I will be yours.

Never forget how much I love you.

Goodbye my friends.  Thank you for being a part of my life. You are forever in my heart."

Orlie Edward Cokley

September 25, 1950 - February 5, 2017

Shown in the photo are Theetta Cokley, Ed's mother, Ruth Gibson, Stoddard County Democratic Club representative, and Pam Trammell, Keller Library Executive Director.

For more information about the Stoddard County Democrats and to follow them on Facebook click HERE.