Obituary of JoAnn "Nana" Cooper

JoAnn Denney Cooper, better known to many simply as “Nana” departed this earth enveloped in the love of family at St. Elizabeth Healthcare, Florence, KY, on April 22, 2024.  She was born on April 25, 1952, in Mt. Vernon, KY to the late Roscoe Denney and Dorothy [Clark] Denney.  A student at Walton Verona High School, she graduated at the top of her class. She went on to study business at Eastern Kentucky University.  After a successful career, she retired from HK Systems, having served as the administrative assistant to the president. 

While Nana had an intelligent mind and sharp acumen for work in the office, her true talents were in the kitchen. Comfortable in a suit, she was even more herself when she donned her apron. She would often say that she’d like to participate in a reality tv cooking show or compete with celebrity cooks like Martha Stewart and Paula Deen, reassuring everyone that it was she who would be “the last chef standing.” Nana excelled in both cooking and baking; her chicken salad, pasta salad, chili, vegetable soup, chicken and dumplings, wedding cakes, fudge, cookies and candy remain unparalleled.  Nana didn’t hoard her talents as a cook, either. She freely taught those she cared for, sharing her bountiful knowledge and techniques. Her cooking, however amazing though, wasn’t for edification of herself.  It was an expression of her generosity, her compassion. It was the love language she used for her voluminous family and friends. She was the benevolent matriarch and “glue” of her family until the very end; always thinking of others before herself.   

Nana was a beloved wife to Kenneth “Ken” Cooper. She was a treasured maternal figure to Deliliah (Shannon) Marshall. She was a dear sister to Stephanie Denney, Roscoe Denney III,  Wayne Denney, Constance Denney, Beverly Daniel, Shirley Denney, and Vicki Denney. Nana counted her blessings, which were numerous. Unlike some others, her blessings were named: Shi, Shelby Jo, Matthew, Aidan, Neveah, Brooklynn, Logan, Reed, Shannon, Maverick, Calvin, Mandi, Ben, Greg, Anna Maria, Lenny, Bobby Wayne, Misty, Amanda, Katelyn, Mya, Olivia, Shane, Shawn, Preston, Brian, Wyatt, Madlyn, Kenzie, Cooper, Autumn, Alexa, Alayna, Austin, Azlyn, Kenneth “Ken” (Tiffany) Cooper, Jr. and Melody (Don) Stacy.

Nana was hugged and welcomed in the sweet hereafter by her parents; her sister Charlotte “Lottie” Denney Dedden; her brother William Michael “Bucky” Denney; and her sister-in-law Judith Denney. 

Please come to the visitation which will be held for Nana at Chambers and Grubbs Funeral Home, 45 N. Main St., Walton, KY, 41094 on Saturday, April 27, 2024. Friends and family will gather to share memories, find solace in one another's company, and honor the legacy she leaves behind from 2:00 PM until 4:00 PM.  Directly following, Nana will be carried to her rest gently and comfortably by those she loved; returning to rest at home with her family after her cremation.  Nana’s generosity can live on, should you choose to make a memorial donation in her name to either American Heart Association or St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital. 

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