LEXINGTON, Ky. — Jo Wilks, 88, passed on Feb. 10, 2011, at her home in Lexington. A service to celebrate her life will be held on Saturday, Feb. 19, 2011 at 11:30 a.m. at Schneider-Griffin Funeral Home, with Pastor Stephen Gill officiating.

Eulah Jo Cooper Wilks was born in Alexander City, Ala., on June 21, 1922, to the late Eulah Jo Parkey and Rev. Dr. George Frederick Cooper, Sr. In addition to her parents, Jo was preceded in death by her husband, Herndon Wilks; her sister, Mary Elizabeth Cooper Counts; her brother, George Frederick Cooper, Jr.; and grandson Patrick Christian Wilks. Jo graduated from Woodlawn High School, Birmingham, Ala., in 1940 and from Auburn University in 1944. While at Auburn, she met and married the love of her life of nearly 63 years, Herndon Wilks on Aug. 29, 1943. While Herndon served his country in the Navy for the next three years, Jo lived with her Mother and Dad in Birmingham and worked for the USPS. After living and starting their family in Pomeroy, Jo and Herndon moved to Chesapeake, where Jo opened a private kindergarten in the basement of their home giving a whole slew of children a great start in life. When kindergarten became a part of public schools, Jo worked for Fairland School District for nearly 20 years with her best teaching buddy Sue Stouffer.

Jo’s life was enriched through her many years of service to the Chesapeake United Methodist Church. She, along with Pastor Stephen Gill and a committee of stewards at the church, was instrumental in developing and implementing plans for the Chesapeake Community Center, which continues to serve the community today. Jo served as a volunteer for many years as the scheduler of all volunteers for the center as well as serving her time at the reception desk on a daily basis. Her life revolved around helping others, inside her church and out. Upon the death of her beloved husband, Jo moved to the Lafayette Retirement Community in Lexington to be closer to family. While there, she volunteered her services wherever needed.

Jo is survived by one sister, Frances Cooper Jordan (Bill); three sons and daughters-in-law, Stephen and Robin Chandler Wilks of Clarkesville, Ga.,, Phil and Lisa Voll Wilks of Maryville, Tenn. and Mark and Barbara Foster Wilks of Belmont, N.C.; one daughter, Kris Wilks of Louisville, Ky.; 10 grandchildren, Brent Wilks, Matt Wilks (Mandi), Lindy Wilks Hoeft (Matthew), Kelly Wilks, Scott Wilks (Kate), Traci Wilks Ort (Joe), Amy Wilks, Kerry Wilks, Abby Wilks and Trent Wilks; four great grandchildren, Ben and Brody Wilks, Aiden Hoeft, and Taylor Ort; best friends Ruth Daniel, Hazel Workman and Marian Kerwin. The family will receive friends from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday at Schneider-Griffin Funeral Home, Chesapeake. In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made in memory of Jo Wilks to the Chesapeake Community Center or to Hospice of the Bluegrass, 2312 Alexandria Drive, Lexington, KY 40504. Condolences may be expressed at www.schneidergriffin.com.