Joyce A. Cooksey

Joyce Ann (Joy) Armstrong Cooksey, 85, of Fort Smith, Ark. died Sunday, October 25, 2020. She was born in Fort Branch to Roy H and Thelma (Kell) Armstrong, October 17, 1935. Her passing came just a few short weeks after the death of her beloved husband of 65 years, Vernon (Bud) Cooksey. She is survived by two daughters, Sheila Goodfellow (Rob), and Suzanne Cowne (Neal) of Fort Smith, Ark.; one son, Bruce Cooksey (Cindy) of North Little Rock, Ark.; three grandchildren, Megan Cowne Cherry (Hayden) and Troy Cowne both of Dallas, Tex. and Greyson Goodfellow of Fayetteville, Ark.; one brother, David Armstrong (Kathryn) of Princeton, and numerous other relatives and friends. Joy attended Indiana University at Bloomington. She married Bud in 1955. They lived in Fort Branch where she was a dental assistant for several years before moving to Evansville where Bud worked with Whirlpool until being transferred in 1970 to Arkansas where they lived until his retirement. Joy worked at Sears as an associate for 11 years. She later attended Westark Community College. In retirement, she and Bud spent time in Monterrey, Mexico, and Sun City Center, Florida. They loved to travel and enjoyed over 20 cruises around the world and were especially fond of the Mediterranean. Joyce was a member of First United Methodist Church of Fort Smith, the Fort Smith Rose Society where she held several offices including secretary, the Regional Art Museum, the Fort Smith Symphony League, and the Extension Homemakers Club. She was also an avid genealogist, as well as a member of the Order of the Eastern Star, the Lady Shriners Club, and the Sun City Center (Florida) Community Association. A private burial will be held at Bethlehem United Church of Christ, Evansville, IN. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to First United Methodist Church, 200 North 15th St., Fort Smith, AR 72901 or the Shriners Children’s Hospital, Office of Development, 2900 Rocky Point Drive, Tampa, FL 33607.