Vertrice Byrd Cook

56 year old Vertrice Byrd Cook of Smithville died Saturday at her residence of an extended illness from Lou Gehrig’s Disease. She was a member of the Jesus Name Pentecostal Church and a health care provider at Prospect, Incorporated. The funeral will be Tuesday at 1:00 p.m. at DeKalb Funeral Chapel. Robert Burns will officiate and burial will be in Poplar Hill Cemetery in Watertown. Visitation will be Monday from 2:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. and Tuesday from 10:00 a.m. until the service at 1:00 p.m. She was preceded in death by her father, Melvin Byrd and her grandparents, Jim and Mary Adamson. Survivors include children, Billy Cook, Jr. and Melena and her husband Michael Harrell. Grandchildren, Cody and Jacob Harrell, and Kayla and Madeline Cook. Her mother Alberta Byrd. Sisters, Toleda Jackson and Dean and her husband Marvin Yaney. Brothers, Forrest “Frosty” Byrd and friend Ruth Martin, Clay Byrd, and Jerry and his wife Donna Byrd. Several nieces and nephews also survive along with special friends and caregivers, Tabitha, Chevaughn, Kay, Reba, Regina, Tammy, and Linda. DeKalb Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements.