June Malia Cooper-Jones, our beloved angel, peacefully entered into eternal rest on January 25, 2026. A woman of immense strength and unwavering faith, she leaves behind a legacy of love, resilience, and dedication to her family and community.

Early Life and Education

June was born on August 26, 1956, to the late Aaron L. Cooper and Ernestine M. Cooper. At an early age, she accepted Christ and was baptized at Union Hill United Church of Christ in Sedley, Virginia. She later shared her faith and fellowship as a member of Royal Baptist Church in Petersburg, Virginia.

A proud product of the Sussex Public School system, June was a member of the Sussex Central High School Class of 1974. She continued her education at Virginia State University, where she earned her degree and began a lifelong connection to the Trojan community.

A Life of Service

June devoted many years of her professional life to Virginia State University, serving with distinction in the ROTC department. Her passion for shaping young minds later led her to Petersburg City Public Schools, where she served as a dedicated teacher until her retirement.

Outside of the classroom, June was a creative soul who found joy in sewing, crafting, and gardening. Above all, she was a devoted mother, wife, sister, grandmother, and aunt. Despite any obstacle, she remained a beacon of strength, teaching those around her the power of perseverance.

Family Legacy

June was preceded in death by her parents, Aaron and Ernestine Cooper; her husband, Levy Jones III; her daughter, Jessica Jones; her nephew, Arthur Eaves Jr.; her mother-in-law, Augusta Pegram; fathers-in-law, Levy Jones II and Roger Pegram; and brothers-in-law, Walter McNear and Antonio Pomier.

She leaves to cherish her precious memories to her children: daughters, Tracee Garris McKenzie (Patrick), Christy Bell (Cory), and Latoya Harrison (Tyrone); sons, Levy Jones IV (Jasmyne) and Lonzie Jones; adopted daughter, Parish Haynes-Talley; grandchildren, Christopher Garris, Jr., ChiYana Lockhart Cooper, Teona Garris, Trevon Garris, Tyrone Harrison, Jr., Tyler Harrison, Caliyah Bell, Tyson Harrison, Cerenity Bell, Auden Jones, Ahloni Jones, Sydnee Jones, Alayden Jones, Sincere Jones, Choyce Bell, and Levy Jones V; great grandchildren, Jay'ceion Scott, Azora Garris, Jachai Nichols, and Amias Garris; siblings: sisters, Quanda Eaves, Carolyn Wright, and Janet Pomier; in-laws: Sisters-in-law, Mary Jones-Brown and Ruby McNear; brothers-in-law, Letaz Jones, Sr. (Avis) and Lamont Jones; aunts, Linda and Margarie Worrell; uncle, Mel Harris; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends, including her special friend, Frances "Pinky" Brown.

Services will be held 1:00 P.M., Thursday, February 5, 2026, in the Chapel of J. M. Wilkerson Funeral Establishment, Inc., 102 South Avenue, Petersburg, VA, Evangelist Yvonne Jackson, eulogist. The interment to follow at Wilkerson Memorial Cemetery.

J. M. Wilkerson Funeral Establishment, Inc., 102 South Avenue, Petersburg, VA, (804) 732-8911, www.jmwilkersonsince1874.com. Watch the funeral services live online on our J. M. Wilkerson Funeral Establishment, Inc. Facebook page.