Joyce Lee Cooksey, 97, a resident of Prairie Grove, Arkansas, passed away Tuesday, June 9, 2026 in Bentonville, Arkansas. She was born November 5, 1928 in Limestone, Arkansas, the daughter of Vern and Jewell (Ogden) Reeves.
Joyce was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and homemaker. She also worked outside the home for many years, first as a line supervisor at Baldwin Piano and later at the Washington County Clerk's Office. After retirement, Joyce became an award-winning quilter. Many family members and friends were blessed to receive one of her handmade quilts over the years. She also spent many years volunteering with Life Ministries in Prairie Grove after the passing of her first husband. On May 17, 1945, Joyce married Pearl Cooksey. Together they raised their family in Northwest Arkansas and shared many years together until his passing in 1992. She later married Russell Cate in June of 2007, and they remained together until his passing in 2012.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Vern and Jewell Reeves; brother Carl Reeves; sister Kathy Bigbee; and husbands Pearl Cooksey and Russell Cate.
She is survived by her sister, Jean Shannon and husband Tom of Farmington; sister-in-law JoAnn Reeves of Farmington; sons Barry Cooksey and wife Debra, and Mark Cate and wife Michelle of Greenland; daughters Linda Gordon and husband James of Garfield, Judith Nichols of Rogers, and Sandra McLaughlin and husband Ed of Springdale. She is also survived by fourteen grandchildren: Shelley Chavious and husband Timothy of Winslow, Shane Gordon and wife Shelly of Garfield, Tracy Nelson of Bentonville, Amber Ray of Bentonville, Kimberly Minor and husband Hayes of Rogers, Jennifer Syx and husband Jared of Dallas, Georgia, Tracy Bohannan and husband Gary of Rogers, Aryn Dalton and wife Cheri of Arlington, Texas, Tara McAfee and husband Kenneth of El Paso, Texas, Brandon Cate and wife Leah of Springdale, Angela Woodward of Fayetteville, Lisa Hill of Springdale, James McLaughlin and wife Cathy of Belton, Missouri, and Patrick McLaughlin and wife Terry of Trussville, Alabama. Joyce also leaves behind twelve great-grandchildren, seventeen great-great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.
The family will receive friends Sunday, June 14, 2026, 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM at the Luginbuel Funeral Home.
Funeral Service will be held 10:00 AM, Monday, June 15th, 2026, at Main Street Baptist Church in Farmington, Arkansas. Burial will be in the Dutch Mills Cemetery in Lincoln, Arkansas.
No graveside services will be held at the cemetery.