JoAnn Conerly Cook

Jo Ann Conerly Cook, 93, of Magnolia, passed from this life January 6, 2026, at Camellia Estates Assisted Living Center in McComb.

She was born in McComb on June 29, 1932, and was the daughter of Cullen William and Grace Simmons Conerly of McComb.

Visitation will begin at 1:00pm Sunday, January 11, 2026, with services at 3:00pm at Terry's Creek Baptist Church with Dr. David Millican officiating with burial in the church cemetery.

Pallbearers will be her grandsons, Christopher Davis, Brayden Bordelon and Brad Rabalais, and close friends of many years, Johnny Easley, Steve Travis and Billy Lee.

Honorary pallbearers will include her son-in-law, Phil Evans, Jr., grandson, Michael Templeton, Jr., and nephews Ralph and Don Price, Lee Barkdull and David Avera.

Jo Ann is preceded in death by her loving husband, C.W. Cook; two daughters, Cathy Jo Cook and Nena Kay Cook Crabtree; her twin sister, Sarah Conerly Price; two sisters in law, Phyllis Cook Lawson and Donis Cook Sarphie and a very special son-in-law, Douglas Noel McDaniel.

Jo Ann grew up in the Holmesville Community with her beloved twin sister, Sarah Ann, and were known as the "Conerly Twins". They were known to sing together at their church, Holmesville Baptist Church.

Jo Ann was a graduate of Magnolia High School, Class of 1951, where she met the love of her life, C.W. Cook. They were married for over 67 years until his death in 2021.

She was employed by several insurance companies in Pike County throughout the years. She retired from the Mississippi Department of Health where she worked for over 20 years.

Jo Ann was a lifelong member of over 64 years of Terry's Creek Baptist Church. At the time of her death, she was the oldest living member of the church. Over the years, she taught many Sunday school classes, served on the benevolence committee and loved singing in the choir until her knees would not let her climb the stairs. She loved her church, especially the children. After her retirement, she was able to help with Vacation Bible School and of course, she was always in the kitchen. She prepared many meals over the years for those ill or for those who had lost a family member. Someone once said, "this place could not hold all the food Miss Jo Ann has made for people over the years." She was best known for her wonderful ministry of sending greeting cards to hundreds of people. Each card held a special hand-written note in her beautiful handwriting, expressing love, prayer, comfort in times of loss or expressing praise for a new baby or anniversary. She always seemed to know exactly what to say. Her family always said she should have owned a Hallmark Card Shop because of how much she loved them. She always said that she couldn't always visit but she could send a card.

She spent many hours in her kitchen cooking for her family, who she loved dearly. She taught her daughters how to prepare homemade meals and how to can fresh vegetables. Always so patient and kind, she found the utmost joy in baking cookies and making apple fritters with her granddaughters who lived close by. Her influence in their lives made them the wonderful, young women that they are today.

Survivors include two daughters, Anna Cook Evans and a very special son-in-law, Phil Evans, Jr., of Magnolia and Amy Cook Caviness of Seale Beach, California.

Grandchildren April Nicole Davis Kelley (Chris) of Canton, GA; Christopher R. Davis (Hannah) of Kennesaw, GA; Jessica Crabtree Whitley (James) of Athens, GA; Rebecca Crabtree Collette (Sergio) of Baton Rouge, LA; Cami Crabtree Dahmer of Slidell, LA; Sarah Evans Rabalais (Brad) of Covington, LA; Leah Evans Templeton (Michael) of Poplarville, MS; Angelica Caviness Pratt (Zack) of Sparks, NV; Catherine Caviness Myers (Thomas) of Henderson, NV;

Great-grandchildren Avery Nicole Kelley and Logan Grace Kelley; Sloane and Gray Collette; Britten and Bronson Whitley; Brayden Bordelon, Jude, Blake, Lane and Sophia Rabalais; Danny Pratt; Chloe Belle and Mia Claire Myers; Peyton and Ashlyn Dahmer and two more great-grandchildren to be born in 2026.

Special thanks to the staff of Camellia Estates and the staff of Hospice Compasses for the love and special care given to our mother. Our family wishes to give special appreciation and thanks to her wonderful sitters Mamie Hines, Annette Magee and Brianna Joseph, for their never-ending love, dedication, loving care and friendship given to our mama and her family. Our mother loved you all dearly and you will be forever in our hearts.

Thank you to Dr. David Millican, our wonderful pastor of many years and longtime friend of the Cook family.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests love offerings go to the children's fund at Terry's Creek Baptist Church.