Joanne Cooke Harkey

JOANNE COOKE HARKEY, age 78, of Monroe, passed away Monday, October 31, 2011, at Hospice of Union County, after suffering complications following a stroke. She will be remembered for her kind spirit, generosity, love and devotion to her friends and family. She was preceded in death by her husband and first love, Donald Bell Harkey. Mrs. Harkey was born in Monroe to the late Robert E. Lee and Mary Helms Cooke, she is also preceded in death by Valerie Holmes. Joanne and Donald had 3 children and cultivated a large circle of friends with whom they spent time entertaining, traveling and sharing their vacation homes with. She and Donald started Harkey & Associates, Inc. in 1973. After Donald’s death in 1990, Joanne stayed active, enjoying traveling, community service, entertaining and spending time with her friends and family. Joanne was a member of Shiloh Baptist Church and Rolling Hills Country Club. She served as President of the SALT Organization of the Union County Sheriff’s Department, President of the Monroe Women’s League, and President of the Ladies Auxiliary of the Union County Shrine Club. Joanne was a longtime member of Monroe Chapter #113 Order of the Eastern Star where she had served as Worthy Matron. Surviving Joanne are her children, Donna Holmes (Carl) of Matthews, Sheri McInnis (Don) of Weddington and Kevin Harkey (Leigh) of Marshville; six (6) grandchildren, Jonathan, Renee, Chris, Dale, Grayson and Shonda; three (3) great grandchildren, Noah, Aly and Hatilyn and one (1) sister, Betty Thomasian of Boston, Ma. Visitation for family and friends will be held on Wednesday, November 2, 2011 from seven until nine P.M. at McEwen Funeral Home of Monroe, 204 S. Main Street, Monroe N.C. 28112. Funeral Services in celebration of Joanne’s life will be Thursday, November 3, 2011 at Shiloh Baptist Church, Interment will be at Forest Lawn East Cemetery in Weddington N.C. immediately following the service. Serving as Pallbearers will be her special friends, the Deputies of the Union County Sheriff’s

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Department. Memorials may be made to Hospice of Union County, 700 Roosevelt Blvd., Monroe N.C. 28110 or to Shiloh Baptist Church, 2301 Rocky River Road North, Monroe N.C. 28110. On line Condolences may be offered at www.mcewenmonroechapel.com.