Ruby J. Darensbourg-Cook Memorial Endowed Scholarship Fund

The Ruby J. Darensbourg-Cook Memorial Endowed Scholarship Fund honors the life and legacy of Ruby J. Darensbourg-Cook—a proud Southern University alumna and beloved educator whose dedication to teaching and service touched the lives of countless students and colleagues.

Ruby Janice Darensbourg (12/5/1914—9/20/1992) was born in Baton Rouge to Lottie Marie Ricard and Leslie Louis Darensbourg. She attended St. Francis Xavier Elementary School and McKinley High School. She was accepted to Southern University and completed the two-year teacher training program to which she added a bachelor’s degree in 1938.

She was hired as a teacher for African American students in one-room rural schools in the East Baton Rouge Parish school system. She always recalled her students, and her time with them, with joy on her face and excitement in her voice. Teaching for her was a treasured vocation, one that she sadly relinquished to care for her growing family of young children.

She and her husband James C. Cook, Sr. established and operated the first theatre in Louisiana owned by African Americans. Ruby devoted her talents to educating and molding her 5 children into knowledgeable, compassionate and principled adults. She modeled benevolence, respect and love for all peoples.

She was at her best with children, regardless of whom they were or if she even knew them. No child could come into her presence without a show of affection and a complement to make them feel good about themselves. She never allowed any child to feel alone or unwanted in her
presence.

It is within this legacy that the Cook Family established the Ruby J. Darensbourg-Cook Memorial Scholarship Fund with the Southern University Foundation. Our mission is to assist those with a love of children and a passion for teaching to achieve their goals, thereby helping every child optimize their potential.