Obituary of Joyce T. Cooksey

Joyce (Tate) Cooksey of Hettick, IL, passed away on June 5, 2025, one week and a day shy of her 95th birthday. Joyce was born on June 13, 1930, to Roy and Ola (Clevenger) Tate of Hettick. She graduated from Hettick High School and married Leslie Cooksey in 1949. The couple lived in Hettick their entire lives, except for a brief stint on West Coast military bases. They had one daughter, Peggy. Joyce was the town Avon lady and volunteered in the community in many ways including as an election judge, in groups like Home Extension, and as a provider of cakes and other treats for many local events. With other family members, Joyce was Hettick’s Secret Santa, delivering Christmas Eve gifts to the elderly. She was an enthusiastic member of the Thursday afternoon card club. Her family will remember her never-empty tin of homemade cookies, her unsigned birthday cards, and her thoughtful Christmas gifts (always of the exact same financial value so no child felt slighted). We’ll remember her cheering for the Cardinals, her dressed as a witch on Halloween, the road trips she planned, and the made-to-order milkshakes and breakfasts that a night spent at her house always meant. Most of all, her family will remember the love and creativity she poured into our lives. Joyce is preceded in death by her parents, husband, sisters Donna Sonneborn and Pat Clark, and grandson Logan Anderson. She is survived by daughter Peggy; granddaughter Amber (Cliff); grandson Patrick (Stefanie); granddaughter-in-law Jennifer; great-grandchildren Sam, Annabelle, Magdalene, Kinnsley, and Aiden; and many nieces, nephews, and extended family. Graveside Funeral Services will be conducted at Hettick Cemetery, Hettick, IL, at 11:30 AM on Saturday, June 14, 2025. Memorials may be made to Hettick Community Club or Northwestern Fire District. Davis-Anderson Funeral Homes, Carlinville is in charge of arrangements.