Jo Ann (Barbre) Cooksey passed away on March 20, 2026, after her 9-month battle with pancreatic cancer. She was born June 26, 1950, to Lewis and Betty Jo (Gaines) Barbre at her grandmother’s farmhouse in Burnt Prairie, Illinois.
She graduated from Heath High School in 1968 where she was very active serving as vice-president her Senior year. She was also voted Most Likely to Succeed. She then married Tony Cooksey on February 13, 1971, beginning a life of happiness, laughter, and friendship. They became parents to Joseph (Stacey) Cooksey, Jennifer (Merritt) Bagwell, and Julie Wigginton. JoAnn then pursued a degree in education from Murray State University earning her Master’s Degree in Education plus additional education towards a doctorate degree. She taught school for over 30 years and retired from Ballard Memorial High School as their Home Economics teacher.
Jo Ann had a personal relationship with Jesus which showed in everything she did. She loved her family, friends, and her church wholeheartedly. Her hobbies included cooking, sewing, boating, water skiing in her younger years, reading, shopping, and spending time with her family. She also sang and played both piano and bass guitar for her church and several gospel groups through the years. She was a Gideon, a member of KGMA (Kentucky Gospel Music Association), a former Kevil City Commissioner, and a member of the Illinois Central Fishing Club (ICFC).
Her family rejoices in knowing that she will live on through every heart she touched, every prayer she prayed, every student she had, and in every child she taught in Sunday School who grew up to know Jesus. And she will live on in the hearts of her husband, children, grandchildren (Dalton Cooksey, Josie Cooksey, Evelyn Bagwell, Austin Bagwell, and Lilian Wigginton), cherished family members, church family, and friends. JoAnn touched so many lives during her 75 years and will be greatly missed; yet, we rejoice in knowing that because of Jesus, we will see her again in Heaven.
She was preceded in death by her parents Lewis and Betty Jo (Gaines) Barbre; her in-laws Paul and Ruth (Mathena) Cooksey; and her brothers-in-law Mike Vaughn (Kevil, Kentucky) and Steve Hudson (West Paducah, Kentucky).
Visitation will be held on Saturday, March 28, 2026, starting at 4 p.m. at Morrow Funeral Chapel in LaCenter, Kentucky.
Her funeral will be held on Sunday, March 29, 2026, at 2 p.m. at Christ Community Church in West Paducah, Kentucky, by her Pastor and friend, Tim Turner.
Burial will follow at Brook Hill Memorial Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Christ Community Church at 8270 Old Hinkleville Road, West Paducah, KY 42086, to help restore the church which was destroyed in the tornado in April 2025.
