This memorial website was created in memory of our loved one, Joann Peggy Koller, 83, born on January 5, 1932 and passed away on November 3, 2015. We will remember her forever.
Joann was born in Brodie, Arkansas to Charles and Lucille Horton.
She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband Charles Dee Cossey, daughter Linda Cossey, grandson Chris Cossey, a nephew Charles Moore, as well as three brothers Winston and Paul Horton and Anthony Garcia.
She was a beloved mother, grandmother, daughter, sister and aunt and leaves to cherish her memory her children, Rita Cirks and Dennis Cossey of Little Rock and Janis Cossey of Hot Springs. Other survivors include her sister Helen Johnson of California, her grandchildren Bryan Hoffmann, Aaron Cossey, Christy Hoffmann, Zachary Truemper, 10 great-grandchildren, as well as a host of extended family and friends. She loved her dog and loyal companion, Foxy.
A lovely memorial service, attended by so many family and friends, was held at Mt. Pleasant United Methodist Church on Sunday, December 6, 2015 with Reverend Mary Jones, also a very dear friend, officiating.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Joann’s Church: Mt. Pleasant United Methodist Church, 5025 Church Road, Little Rock, Arkansas 72205.
Share a tribute (below) or a story, photos, music, or videos by clicking on one of the above tabs.
The site is very user-friendly to use. However, should you prefer, you can email photos, stories, etc. to Helen Johnson (Joann's Sister) at lakeladyhj@msn.com. She will add them to the site for you. Please be sure and include photo captions. She will include your name to the posting – but NOT your email or phone number (unless you request it). If you have questions, you can contact Helen at 530-223-3001.
I first briefly met Joann around 1972. I was a friend of her daughter Linda. I had never seen such a beautiful, outgoing, and vibrant woman. Over the years, I would be around her off and on continuing to learn about her. She would certainly speak her mind and never hesitated to ask questions. Her laughter came easily and quick. She most assuredly was a very honest, direct person with much integrity and warmth. Simply thinking of Joann makes me smile as I can hear her laughter and feel her sincerity.
Our first laugh together I guess was on a Mother’s Day. Her daughter Linda brought about the circumstance. Linda told me she was going to go to her Mom’s for the day. She teared up and said she wanted to ask me to go with her, but knowing I had lost my mom, she did not want me to feel bad. Then it came to her that she would share her Mother with me on that Day. We all had quite a laugh about it, but it was for real, it was sincere and it happened. On every Mother’s Day, I would think about Joann and I knew if I looked her up on that day or called her, she would be my Mom. It always brought a smile to my lips, but a tear followed it. I will always remember the two of them, Joann and Lindo on that Day, again, with a smile on my lips and tears on my face. I love you girls.
It was during the time her daughter Linda was suffering with terminal cancer that we became very good friends. Joann came to live with Linda to care for her and to provide her comfort. She gave up her own personal life, because Linda was one of her beloved children and it was something Joann had to do and she did it with grace and desire.
Joann along with the entire family welcomed each and every one of Linda’s friends. She made us feel appreciated, comfortable and respected. Anytime was okay with her for a friend to drop by and pay their respects. We all loved her. One of the friends even showed up with a pair of tennis shoes for her one day. Joann had complimented the friend on her tennis shoes during a visit. Being so happy to please this wonderful and powerful lady, the friend brought her a matching pair on her next visit.
She grew up in a bad time of America causing much sacrifice within families to merely exist. There was indeed much sacrifice, but she grew into a strong person, with appreciation, pride and honesty. She became capable of surviving any situation and making do.
I have to tell you, that I am honored to have had Joann as a friend and to have had her acceptance of me as a friend. She was one of a kind. I love that woman and I know she is looking down on us right now with stars sparkling in her crown and smiling. She has served her time in this world and God has summoned her to his heavenly home for a well-earned rest. She loves us all and we love her. Thank you Joann for being my friend. Say hello to my Linda, then give her a big hug for me. I miss you both.
All my love,
Edie Potts
"The eternal God is our dwelling place, and underneath us are the everlasting arms." Jesus said, "Even though you die, yet shall you live; because I live, you live also. In God's universe, there are many places for us; if it were not so, would I have told you, I go and prepare a place for you, and where I go, you go also?"
This is Good News from Jesus because it means where God is JoAnn Cossey Koller is also. This Good News means JoAnn has always been living in the presence of God's love.
So,...very early Tuesday morning, November 3rd,..days after the golden-harvest-full-moon-Wednesday-night-ambulance-ride to St Vincent Hospice, JoAnn transitioned into a new life,...stepping into God's presence in a way we do not yet understand.
JoAnn's new experience,...her new way of being...is God's Good News for all of us! JoAnn lived her life as a holy child of God...and her living and her dying are sacred. Today's celebration, designed almost completely by JoAnn in 2011,...is for remembering her life,...it is for celebrating her life with our laughter and our tears; and it is a time for all of us to love and comfort JoAnn's family...while we care for each other. Amen.
Reverend Mary
Donna McElroy Jones, Reverend Mary's sister -in-law ,"hand-danced" "O Holy Night" Joann loved to watch her present songs in movement
