Ardis W. (Walker) Cook was called to heaven on July 11, 2014, in Madison, Wisconsin. She was born on August 9, 1951 to Era L. Walker, Jr, and Frances L. Walker in Rockford, Illinois.

Ardis throughout her life was known for her honesty, never afraid to tell it like it is. She also was a generous spirit, willing to do more for others than herself. She also was known for being an anchor to her family, keeping the peace when necessary and bringing everyone together.

Her personal pursuits - whether it was shopping, doting over her daughters and grandchildren, or singing in the Allen Chapel A.M.E. Sanctuary Choir - gave her much pleasure in what was a very busy, yet satisfying life.

Ardis was a graduate of West High School in Rockford. She would later graduate from the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign with a bachelors' in sociology and a masters' in social work. It was at UIUC she would receive her calling for her career, as she received a commendation from the National Adoption Listing Service as having placed and completed the most adolescent adoptions in one year as a student intern for the Illinois Department of Human Services in 1975. A year later, she began a 38-year career for the State of Illinois as a dedicated public advocate for children in distress.

In 1976, Ardis was the sole intake worker for DCFS in Vermilion County, investigating child abuse and neglect cases as well as provided services to dependent children and prevention situations. She would later take part in the development of new rules, procedures, and protocols for the Child Abuse Hotline, which in 1980 was being revamped into a statewide reporting tool, as well as the forming of the new Division of Child Protection.

In 1986, Ardis was promoted to the newly created position of DCFS Regional Child Protection Manager, which she excelled in the further development of programs designed to protect children. In 1992, she was appointed by then Director of the Department to a reform panel in response to a major lawsuit concerning the caseload sizes and standards in cases assigned to the workers.

In 1994, Ardis worked with national experts to develop and train the others in the concept of the difference between safety and risk for children. She held training sessions for both state employees and well as private agency staff and was selected to tutor and train staff that had difficulties with understanding the application of the concepts. All of the people who attended her review training sessions passed the certification test.

In 2003, Ardis was promoted to the Assistant to the Deputy for Child Protection for downstate Illinois. She still volunteered many hours assisting special projects in Cook County, conducting special reviews, and mentoring both old and new supervisors in order to improve the overall improvement of services to families.

Ardis joined Allen Chapel A.M.E. Church in Rockford on December 25, 1968 and has been an active lifelong member. She has served as a member of the Youth Choir, YPD president, played piano, and was a member of the Lay Organization and Sanctuary Choir. She also is a past president of the Rockford chapter of the National Council of Negro Women.

Ardis married Robert D. Cook on June 8, 1974 and unto this union two daughters were born: Tiana and Marisha, She also was a proud grandmother to Madison Owens and Olivia Harris.

Ardis is survived by her children, Mrs. Tiana (Kristophere') Owens of Rockford, Ill., and Mrs. Marisha (Robin) Cook-Harris, M.D., of Caledonia, Ill., and her granddaughters Madison Owens of Rockford and Olivia Harris of Caledonia. She is also survived by her brother, Otis Walker of Rockford, and her sister Mrs. Elizabeth (The Rev. Larry) Smith of Oak Park, Ill. She is also survived and loved by many other nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Preceding Ardis in death was Robert D. Cook, her husband; her parents Era L. and Frances L. Walker; and her brother Cyrus L. Walker.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions in honor of Ardis W. Cook Social Work Scholarship Fund be sent to the Community Foundation of Northern Illinois: 946 N. Second Street, Rockford, Ill., 61107, or http://cfnil.org/

Visitation is from 4 to 6 p.m. on Thursday, July 17, 2014 at Collins and Stone Funeral Home, 128 S. Fifth St., Rockford; and from 9 to 11 a.m. on Friday, July 18, 2014 in Allen Chapel A.M.E. Church, 3000 Rural Street, Rockford. Homegoing service will begin at 11 a.m., with the Rev. Charlene M. Bulls-Mills officiating. Burial is in Sunset Memorial Gardens, Machesney Park.

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