In hopes to prepare for surgery, Crystal was trying to loose weight. Monica Williams, a colleague of Crystal's in the PTA, and personal fitness client of Walter's, suggested that she work out with him, as he had a special going - 16 personalized sessions for just $60. Before they even met, Crystal most admired the fact that Walter's card said, "With God, all things are possible," Matthew 19:26.
On July 1, 2006, Walter and Crystal met. She worked out with him four times. Walter was always impressed with Crystal's stamina and wanting to do more. The fourth time was the hardest Crystal had ever worked out with Walter. It was 98 degrees outside and very humid. Crystal had on a bonnet, sauna suit, and other work out clothes underneath. Her body over heated to the point where she was lying on the ground to get air. Walter told her to take off her sauna suit top and pour water on herself to get some relief. In that moment, Walter told Crystal that she looked like a young Gladys Knight. That same week, Walter asked Crystal if he could meet her parents.
When Walter realized that Crystal was scheduled to be out of town for a while, he called her at 3:30 a.m. (EST). Her flight had just landed. He told her that since his divorce he did not plan to get married again. Walter continued by saying that should he get married, he prayed for a God-fearing woman in his life. He shared with Crystal - that she was the one. Crystal thought they would be just friends. That friendship grew to Walter and Crystal falling in love and wanting to spend their lives together.
Mr. and Mrs. Alton Leroy Combs of Elizabeth City, North Carolina announce the engagement of their daughter, Crystal Altonia Combs, to Walter Lee Cook, Jr., son of Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Joseph Brown, II, of Landover, Maryland, and Mr. Walter Lee Cook, Sr., of San Diego, California.
Ms. Combs is the granddaughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Walter Combs, and the late Mr. and Mrs. Ervin Pledger of Elizabeth City, North Carolina, and Mr. and Mrs. Martin Cherry. She is a graduate of Meredith College and received Masters of Public Administration with a concentration in Policy and Law from North Carolina Central University. Ms. Combs has been doing disaster work for almost 12 years and is currently employed as a Project Manager in Washington, DC, with the Department of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Agency. She travels and manages construction and architectural/engineering contracts for the Federal Government that helps disaster victims displaced by natural disaster across the United States and U.S. territories. When she is not busy with her job, she volunteers with the Parent Teacher Associations at the local schools and with teaching basic computer classes at Refreshing Springs Church of God in Christ, both in Prince George’s County, Maryland.
The prospective groom is the father of Paris Cieara Cook and Walter Lee Cook, III. He is the grandson of the late Mr. and Mrs. Willie Hugh Woods of Louisiana, the late Mr. Moses Cook and the late Ms. Ora Lee Smith, both of Dallas, Texas. Mr. Cook was a star football player and graduate of Bowie State University in Bowie, Maryland. He is a Management & Program Analyst for the Department of Treasury, Internal Revenue Services. Mr. Cook is also the owner and operator for Gamepoint Sports Center where he provides personal training in physical fitness and strengthening, and volunteer coaching in football, basketball and baseball to Largo High School and community sports facilities in Prince George’s County, Maryland, and the author of the book entitled The Ray of Jesse Woods, a non-fiction book about Mr. Cook’s mother and some of her family history.
Once the couple marries, they will continue to reside in Upper Marlboro, Maryland. The wedding is opened to the public and will take place 5:00 pm, on Saturday, August 30, 2008, at Cornerstone Missionary Baptist Church, here in Elizabeth City, North Carolina. The (adult only) reception will follow where guest must RSVP to attend.
