Jo Ann Overstreet at the age of 73 years, 5 months and 7 days, received her Heavenly crown on Friday, June 10, 2022, 7:17 a.m., at Baptist Health Hospital in Paducah, KY.  She was born in Tuscumbia, AL on January 3, 1949, to the parents of Frank Cooper, Sr. and Frances Neal Thomas.

Jo Ann, as she was so lovingly called by both family and friends, formerly attended Harrison Street Missionary Baptist Church.  Jo Ann was a graduate of Trenholm High School in Tuscumbia (a school that she helped to integrate), and later proudly received certification in business administration from the historical West Kentucky Vocational School.  A woman of great purpose and strength, Jo Ann was the first Black Female Painter/Carpenter /Insulator at the Arkema Plant in Calvert City, KY where she worked faithfully for over 35 years.  During this time, she served on the safety steering committee and as a safety trainer at national conferences.

Jo Ann, a well-versed and highly favored individual, dearly loved her only son and her grandchildren. In addition to being an amazing southern-styled culinary artist cooking many delicious meals, she loved to travel with her cousins and friends to various exotic destinations.  Jo Ann was an amazing singer.  Jo Ann and former husband, Lubie Overstreet, shared a love for riding motorcycles. With him, she was one of the dedicated members of the local Ram Rods Motorcycle Club.  She took great pride in lending her organizational skills and talents to the West Kentucky Alumni Association.  Jo Ann was also a member of the American Breast Cancer Association of Paducah, KY, St. Louis, Mo, and Denver, CO.  In 2018, Jo Ann Overstreet was awarded the NAACP Rosa Parks Award.

Jo Ann leaves to treasure her life: One Son , Donald Overstreet (Dorothea Manley) of Paducah, KY ; Four Grandchildren , Chelsea Overstreet (Kearron Smith), Donald  Overstreet II (Yanesa Cervantes), Jordan Overstreet, all of Paducah, KY , and Brandon McMullen of Greenfield, TN ; Five Great-Grandchildren , Lebran McMullen, Amiyah Lusk, Nola Smith, Kamilah Overstreet, and Onyx Smith, all of Paducah, KY ; Seven Siblings , Ozell Grant of Paducah, KY , Barbara Biles (Wayne) of Aurora, IL , Amelia Thomas Hollowell (Jerry, deceased), Tommy Thomas, Sharon Woods (Cletus), Jimmy Thomas, and Jackie Johnson, all of Paducah, KY ; One Cherished Aunt , Mary Newberry (Marvin) of Paducah, Ky ; Three Bonus Grandchildren , Nigel Merriweather, Noelle Merriweather, and Audrey Olivia Davis, and Two Bonus Great-Grandsons , Nic Bruce and Beau Bruce, all of Paducah, KY ; A Host of Nieces, Nephews, Cousins, and Friends .

Those awaiting her Heavenly Arrival were not only her parents, but also her beloved Grandparents, and her brother, Frank Cooper, Jr.

Jo Ann Overstreet's wisdom, wit, and humor will be cherished and remembered. All who knew her loved her.

A Memorial Service will be conducted at the Greater Lincoln Heights Missionary Baptist Church, 1324 Bloomfield Avenue, Paducah, KY, at 11:00 a.m., on Saturday, June 25, 2022.  Reverend Alfred Anderson and Reverend Dr. Calvin R. Cole, Sr. will officiate.

Friends may also call on the family on Saturday from 10:00 a.m. until the Memorial Hour.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations may be made in honor of Jo Ann Overstreet to West Kentucky Vocational School Alumni Association Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 3057, Paducah, KY 42001.

All attendees are required to wear masks.