Jewell Dean Cookson

Jewell Dean Cookson of Puxico, daughter of the late Arthur Marion Cox and Zoa Gray Cox, was born in Puxico, Missouri on September 21, 1935, and passed away at Mercy South Hospital in St. Louis on June 25, 2026, at the age of 90 years, 9 months and 4 days.

Mrs. Cookson lived and attended high school in Puxico, then began her teaching career in the Fox School District in Arnold, Missouri where she was active member of MSTA. She retired after 21 years in elementary education teaching 3rd, 4th and 5th grades. She returned to Puxico to begin her retirement years along with her husband, Leon. Upon Leon’s passing in 2017, she then returned to St. Louis where she lived for the last eight years to be near her two sons and their families along with grandchildren. In addition to being a devoted mother of two sons, grandmother of five and great grandmother of seven, she greatly enjoyed playing the piano and continued to do so up until the last few years of her life. Along with playing the piano she enjoyed listening to music, in particular, gospel music and singing. Through most of her life, she also loved to travel with family, visiting old friends, reading novels, and homemaking.

On December 25, 1953 she married Dwight Leon Cookson in Puxico, Missouri. They were married for 63 years and was preceded in death by Mr. Cookson on January 6, 2017.

Surviving are her two sons and wives, Stan (Kathleen) Cookson of Columbia, Illinois; Steve (Lori) Cookson of Columbia, Illinois; five grandchildren, Brian (Miranda) Cookson, Brad (Lindsay) Cookson, Ben (Jordan) Cookson, Mitchell Cookson and Darren Cookson; and seven great granddaughters, Lia, Bella, Taylor, Ava, Hailey, Vivienne and Daisy Cookson; one sister, Pansy (Troy) Barnfield of Puxico, Missouri. Other relatives and many friends also survive. She was also preceded in death by one brother, Arthur Dwaine Cox.

Friends may call on Tuesday, June 30, 2026, from 10 A.M. to 12 P.M. at Brown General Baptist Church near Puxico, Missouri. Funeral Services will follow at 12 P.M. with Rev. Ray Placher of Puxico officiating.

Interment will follow in the Brown Cemetery near Brown General Baptist Church in Puxico, Missouri with Watkins and Sons Funeral Service of Puxico, Missouri in charge of arrangements.