Barbara Cook Davis, an entrepreneur and community activist, died of a heart attack Jan. 2 at her home in the Villa Nova neighborhood of Baltimore County. She was 58.
Mrs. Davis hosted and produced a weekly talk radio program on WOLB (1010 AM) called In the Know, which discussed health care and family issues in the African-American community. She also owned a marketing and public relations firm whose clients have included City Council candidates.
Before beginning the radio show about four years ago, Mrs. Davis worked for the City of Baltimore and as a producer for Maryland Public Television.
Barbara Cook was born in Cherry Hill and was a lifelong resident of the Baltimore area. She graduated from Eastern High School in 1965 and from Morgan State University in 1969. She also received certification in fundraising management from Goucher College.
She married William Bernard Davis in 1966. The two had met on a church bus trip a few years earlier, her husband said.
Throughout her life, Mrs. Davis belonged to numerous organizations and was a member of several boards, including the Baltimore Pediatric HIV Program, We Are Family Development Corp. and Baltimore Alpha Wives.
Mrs. Davis founded the drama ministry at Union Bethel AME Church in Randallstown and was devoted to that and other church activities, such as choir, her husband said.
"We both made good livings over the years, and our philosophy was that we have to give back," said Mr. Davis, who retired from Lucent Technologies and now works at the church.
Services were held Friday at Union Bethel.
In addition to her husband, Mrs. Davis is survived by her daughter, Lisa Davis of Baltimore; two brothers, David Cook of Fort Washington and Richard Moore of Brooklyn, N.Y.; and a sister, Shirley Cook of Newark, N.J.
