CHARLESTON - Joan Cossey Shands, 70, died at 7:15 p.m. Dec. 26, 2007, at the Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau.
Born Jan. 7, 1937, in Charleston, to the late Bousey H. and Louella Byrd McDermott, she had lived most of her life in Charleston. She was a member of the Cornerstone Church in Bertrand and had been employed with the Charleston R-I School District as a high school custodian for many years until her retirement.
She was first married to Olen Brown and then James Harlan Cossey, who preceded her in death. In 1999, she married Charles E. Shands, who survives of the home.
Other survivors include: two son, Samuel Brown of Jefferson City and Steve Brown of Thatcher, Ariz.; four daughters, Debbie Sharp of Sikeston, Donna Husketh of Charleston and Karen Myers and Shannon Cossey of East Prairie; two brothers, James McDermott and Gary McDermott of Charleston; two sisters, Frances Barborek of Sikeston and Virginia Riles of Hillsboro; and 16 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
Three brothers, Vernon McDermott, Herman McDermott and Donnie McDermott; two sisters, Lavern Hammens and Mary Jane Eggers; and one great-
granddaughter preceded her in death.
Visitation is at 2:30 p.m. Friday at McMikle Funeral Home in Charleston. Graveside services will follow at 3:30 p.m. at the Oak Grove Cemetery. The Rev. Bill Meeks, pastor of the First General Baptist Church of Charleston, will officiate.
Pallbearers will be: Darryl Sharp Jr., Jim Cossey, Darryl Sharp Sr., Wesley McDermott, David McDermott and Darryl Champ.
Honorary pallbearers will be: Donald Patterson and Thomas McDonald.