EAST LIVERPOOL, OHIO – JoAnn Cook, 78, of East Liverpool, passed away on Monday, April 13, 2026, at UPMC Presbyterian Hospital in Pittsburgh, PA.

JoAnn was born in Aliquippa, Pennsylvania on November 18, 1947, a daughter of the late Claude and Corrine (Hauser) Smitherman, Sr. JoAnn worked in the kitchen for many years at Valley Oaks Nursing Home. She was a member of New Hope Missionary Baptist Church. JoAnn was a very faithful woman and enjoyed going to church. She also enjoyed shopping to buy things for family. JoAnn was a loving mother, grandmother, great grandmother and sister who enjoyed spending time with her family.

Preceding JoAnn in death were her husband Willie James Cook; son Michael Cook; three brothers Claude Smitherman, Jr., Kenneth Griffith and Gary Smitherman and sister Sandra Smitherman.

Left to cherish her memory are her three sons Willie J. Cook Jr., Terrance Smitherman and Willie J. Cook, Jr.; two daughters Belinda Cook and Mary Louise Cook; six grandchildren Ashlee Cook, Tori Croskey, Anthony Six, Ebony Six, Elijah Six and Aden Croskey; great granddaughter Janiya Burnside; brother Cornell Smitherman; sister Yvette Lopez; many nieces and nephews and best friends Georgetta Motton and Bonita Motton.

Friends may visit Sunday at the Dawson Funeral Home where the family will be present from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. where Pastor Derrick Kendall will conduct a funeral service on Monday at 11 a.m.