Joyce A. Cooley, 75, of Alexis, IL passed away at 8:25 a.m., Saturday, September 14, 2019 at OSF St. Francis Medical Center, Peoria, IL.
Joyce was born May 21, 1944 in Monmouth, IL, the daughter of Ray Henry and Pauline Nellie-Ellen (Valeu) Taylor. She was raised and educated in Monmouth, graduating from Monmouth High School in 1963. She later attended the Arizona Institute of Business and Technology.
Joyce married James Lee Vollbracht in Monmouth, IL on June 26, 1963. She later married Donald Eugene Cooley in Biggsville, IL on January 2, 1985 and he passed away in August 1997.
Joyce worked for UPS in Galesburg for several years as one of the first female drivers with the company. She later worked for the US Department of Energy for 9 years in Arizona. She was a small business owner in Biggsville and Alexis specializing in Interior Decorating and later worked at the Rushville Hospital.
Joyce was very versatile; if it had wheels she could drive it. She enjoyed quilting, sewing, crafts, loved to watch the Hallmark Channel and sports, avid reader and excellent baker. She was a member of the Immanuel Baptist Church in Monmouth and later the Methodist Church in Alexis. She especially enjoyed her lunch dates and time spent with her closest friends and family.
Survivors include her children, Terri L. (David) Miller of Las Vegas, NV, Tracey L. (LeeAnn) Vollbracht of Knoxville, TN; Tammy S. (Gregory) Rice of Phoenix, AZ and Teresa K. (Larry Weber) Grate of Bishop, CA; 7 grandchildren, Jessica (Justin) Taylor of Monmouth, IL, Elizabeth (Zach) Farrar of Mahomet, IL, Miranda Vollbracht of Galesburg, IL, Dylan Miller of Sparks, NV, Austin Grate of Reno, NV, Emily Hull of Alexis, IL and Alexis Miller of Sparks, NV; 6 great grandchildren; 1 brother, James (Rosemary) Taylor of Kirkwood, IL; several nieces, nephews and cousins
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Don Cooley; sister, Corky Brock and brother, Larry Taylor.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, September 20, 2019 from 5:00-7:00 p.m. at McGuire & Davies Funeral Home and Crematory, Monmouth, IL. Cremation has been accorded. In lieu of flowers memorials may be given to the Joyce A. Cooley Memorial Fund. For more information or to leave an online condolence please visit, www.mcguireanddaviesfuneralhome.com.
