Mrs. Josephene (Jones) Cooper of Monticello, Kentucky, passed away on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, at the University of Kentucky Hospital in Lexington, Kentucky, having attained the age of 85 years, 8 months & 3 days. She was born on Saturday, May 18, 1940, in Wayne County, Kentucky, the daughter of Rev. Ora Columbus & Dina (Corder) Jones. She was of the Baptist faith and a dedicated member of Cooper Baptist Church. She devoted many years to working in food service at the Wayne County Hospital, where she took pride in caring for and serving patients during their time of need. An avid quilter, she created pieces that brought warmth and comfort to many people. Known for her playful teasing and sense of humor, she loved joking with her family and cherished every moment she was able to spend with them. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Paul Edward Cooper, whom she wed on Sunday, January 27, 1957; siblings, James Jones, Lorene (Jones) Davis, and Fayrene (Jones) Meadors.

She is survived by her children, Ross Cooper, Hazel (& Jeffery) Woods, Maerene (& Tim) Pyles, Scott (& Effie) Cooper, all of Monticello, Kentucky; siblings, Willard Jones of Somerset, Kentucky, Edna Lee Frost of Monticello, Kentucky; grandchildren, Tiffany (& Chris) Bolen, Chandra (& Joe) Kempton, Kira Pyles, Kelci (& Jacob) Bridgeman, Maria (& Roger) Valdivia; great-grandchildren, Kenzie, Kayla, Kyra Jo, Kyli, Kadi, Eli, Laci & Amiya.

The funeral service was conducted on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. E.S.T., in the Memory Chapel of New’s Monticello Funeral Home with Bro. Kendall Parnell officiating. Burial was in the Elk Spring Cemetery in Monticello, Kentucky. Casket Bearers were Ross Cooper, Scott Cooper, Tim Pyles, Joe Kempton, Roger Valdivia, Jacob Bridgman and Eli Kempton. In lieu of flowers, contributions appreciated to St. Judes Children’s Hospital.

New’s Monticello Funeral Home of Monticello, Kentucky was honored to be in charge of all the arrangements.