Jo Ann Cousins, 94, of Newberry died Saturday, June 18, 2022 at J.F. Hawkins Nursing Home. Born on March 19, 1928, she was a daughter of the late Ira T. and Bernice McMichael Cousins. Following WWII, she spent a year serving abroad at the USO. She was a graduate of the University of South Carolina and began her career as a lab technician at Emory Hospital. She relocated to Norfolk, VA and worked as a lab technician at DePaul Hospital. At the time of her retirement from the De Paul Hospital she was the VP of Marketing and Communications and VP of Public Relations. The oldest of her siblings, Jo Ann was truly the matriarch of the family. When she talked, the family listened. Although she could be tough at times, her heart was ten times the size and her family was her everything. Jo Ann was curious; she loved to learn and explore. She researched her family genealogy, tracing back original immigration papers and locating original cornerstones of old family homesteads. She worked hard to earn the level of Master Gardner. Jo Ann loved to learn about new cultures and visit various parts of the world. She was an avid traveler, planning domestic and international excursions for herself and family. Jo Ann was artistic and creative. Along with her mother, she started a local quilting club. She was active in her church, using her artistic talents to create banners and decorations for use throughout the church year. She shared her talents, helping other local churches with their banners. She painted international Santa Clauses and had one of the most impressive Santa Claus collections. She had her own framing and gift store, Serendipity, where she sold handmade decorations. She was a cinematographer and photographer of all the family events – even down to cataloguing and digitizing them for posterity. Jo Ann was active in her community. She volunteered with various groups and worked at the Newberry County Library for a number of years. She was determined and self-sufficient. It was common to find her on her riding lawn mower or up a ladder when you visited. Her house, and even her barn, was decorated for Christmas. She continued to travel to see her family, even as she was recovering, so that she could meet the newest family members, and she continued to let you know what she thought. Despite all she accomplished in her career and in her community, nothing was as significant as her success in being “Aunt Jo Ann.” She loved having the kids around her, spending weeks in the summer with them, carting all twelve around in her car, she loved taking them on adventures. “Christmas wasn’t Christmas, until Aunt Jo Ann showed up.” Every year, teaching them crafts, ‘real crafts’, and helping them make presents for their parents. Throughout it all, capturing significant moments and candid expressions with her camera, so she could give them as presents later. Aunt Jo Ann was a shining light in their lives, teaching them important skills and lessons they carry with them even today. Her love for her family was infinite. She is survived by her siblings, Betty Cousins Campbell and Walter B. Cousins; numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, great- great-nieces and nephews; and other extended family. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her siblings, Virginia Cousins McMath, Warren R. Cousins and her nephew John Walter Cousins. Graveside services will be conducted by the Rev. Steve Counts at 11:00 AM on Friday, June 24, 2022 in Rosemont Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Thursday, June 23, 2022 from 5:00 to 6:30 PM at Whitaker Funeral Home, Newberry. Her nieces and nephews will serve as pallbearers for Aunt Jo Ann. The family suggest memorials to Colony Lutheran Church, 48 Colony Lutheran Church Road, Newberry, SC 29108. Memories and messages may be shared with the family on her tribute page at www.whitakerfuneralhome.com.