Evelyn Joy Cooksey

November 25, 1928 - November 1, 2021

Evelyn Joy Cooksey, 92, of Fayetteville, NC went to her heavenly home on Monday, November 1, 2021 after a 2 year battle with cancer. She was surrounded by her loving family. She was born November 25, 1928, in Letcher, SD to the late Reuben Smith and Marian (Fish) Smith. Leaving the dust bowl of the Great Depression at age 12, Evelyn’s family came to the Midwest in search of fertile land and a new start. Living over 55 years in Rock City, IL area, Evelyn farmed for a time and later raised horses at the Cooksey’s Corral which was established in 1966 from the one-room schoolhouse in Rock City. She was a devoted mother and homemaker. Her grandkids looked forward to little cakes, a tea party and squeaker kisses from Grandma. Her family was graced by her Christian faith and cowgirl way. Evelyn’s love for horses continues through her grandchildren. Evelyn is survived by four daughters; LaVon (Keith) Barth, Susan Kingery, Sally (Anthony) Staub, and Tammie Wilson; 13 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; 9 great-great grandchildren and brother, Darrell (Georgia) Smith. Preceding her in death are children, LaMont Eiseman and Pamela Eiseman; husbands Robert Eiseman and David Thomas Cooksey and brothers Donald Smith and Doyle Smith. A family gathering will be held at Crossroads Community Church, November 27, 2021 at 10:30 am with a burial after at Grandview Cemetery both in Freeport, IL. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions will fund a monument marker.