Josephine Corey

Josephine Corey was born at her parents' Ross Street home in Charleston, West Virginia, December 15, 1929. She led a long, wonderful life, joining her family in Heaven on August 8, 2025. She robustly outlived her parents George and Behia Corey, her sisters Mary Lou Farris and Louise Palumbo, their husbands Joe Farris and Mario Palumbo, her nephew David Farris and grand-nephews Joe Farris III and Scott Farris.
While attending Ohio University in Athens, Ohio, Jo auditioned for Romper Room in Columbus, Ohio, along with about 300 other women. She was selected and began her career in television. She delighted children and the community for a little over a year as "Miss Jo" at WTVN-TV in Columbus, Ohio. She then moved to WKEF-TV in Dayton, Ohio, and from 1965 to 1973, not only was she "Miss Jo" on Romper Room School, but she also was a weathercaster, co-hosted and co-produced "22 Kidoo" (children's program), hosted "Women's World," co-hosted and co-produced documentaries, hosted "Cartoon Theatre" and "Kidoo Sideshow" and produced and delivered commercials.
As is common in the broadcasting world, Jo moved again. This time, her career took her to WBBH-TV in Fort Myers, Florida, from 1974 to 1981. She was their weathercaster and weekend News Co-anchor from 1974 to 1976 and was promoted to Program Director where she served from 1974 to 1981.
She returned home to Charleston, West Virginia, and WCHS-TV in 1981, serving first as Operations Manager then Public Relations Director. Her beloved mother lived under her care the final years of her life, passing in 1991. Some twenty years later, Jo attempted to bring her television career to a close by retiring from WCHS in March of 2001. But, she said yes when WCHS asked her to continue working part-time to coordinate the Jefferson Awards (which encourage and honor individuals for their achievements and contributions through public and community service) and preparing certain program reports, from which she really and truly finally retired fully in 2014. She loved to sketch and was a gifted painter.
She served as a board member of TVPC (Television Programmers Conference) and was a member of NATPE (National Association of TV Program Executives).
She was featured in TV Radio Mirror magazine as their "Personality of the Month" in 1967 and again in 1971 both carried a full story and picture spread.
She served and is listed in Marquis Who's Who of American Women: 1971 to 1978 and 1981; "2000 Women of Achievement": 1972 (housed in Museum at Dartmouth, Devon, England); Who's Who in the South and Southwest: 1975; The International Who's Who in Community Service, London, England: 1975 to 1978; Personalities of the South: 1975 to 1977; The World Who's Who of Women, Cambridge England: 1976, 1978 and 1979; Community Leaders and Noteworthy Americans: 1976 and 1978; Women in Business, North American Edition: 1978; Advisory Board Junior League of Charleston: 1982 to 1983; Am. Biographical Institute's Most Admired Men & Women of the year: 1995; Board of Directors Christmas in April, Charleston: 1996 to 1998; Marquis Who's Who in Entertainment: 1998 to 1999, and America's Registry of Outstanding Professionals: 2001-2002 Edition.
She was active in her church and her community, always volunteering to help others, until time and mobility issues took their toll. Incredibly, until about 2018, she worked out at a gym three times per week (hence her family nickname of "Peppy") and treated her body like a temple, eating only what was "good for you." Although she did love her chocolate, barbecue and hot dogs to the end.
She is survived by her niece/goddaughter Christy Morris, nephews Joe H. Farris II (Sheila) and G. Corey Farris, Corey Palumbo (Cristin) and Mario (Stefan) Palumbo Jr., her grand-nephew GW Morris III, grand-niece Corey Morris, grand-niece Paula Farris; great grand-nephew Emmitt Morris Webster; great grand-niece Riley Palumbo, great grand-nephews Mario and Michael Palumbo, and great grand-nieces Ella and Olivia Palumbo.
The family joins together to thank Phyllis Hairston for providing such stellar care at home in her last years, the Charleston Gardens staff and the Hubbard Hospice House.
In lieu of flowers, Jo requested donations be directed to St. George Eastern Orthodox Church, Hubbard Hospice House, or a charity of your choice. And, she urged all to be kind and to love one another.
Funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on August 27, 2025, at St. George Antiochian Orthodox Cathedral, 190 Court Street, Charleston, West Virginia, with Rv. Fr. Alex Mackoul officiating. Burial at Sunset Memorial Park, South Charleston, West Virginia, will immediately follow.
Visitation will begin one hour prior at the church to the service.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.barlowbonsall.com.
Barlow Bonsall Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements.