Joni Van Deventer

Joni Cooper Van Deventer, 63, of McCamey, passed away on April 3, 2025 in Odessa.

A brief visitation at 1:00 PM, followed by Funeral Services, officiated by Reverend Paul Thompson, will be held at 2:00 PM April 11, 2025, at 6801 E Highway 80 in Odessa, Texas. Arrangements are by Sunset Memorial Gardens and Funeral Home in Odessa. Graveside service will follow at the McCamey Cemetery at 4:00 PM.

Joni was born in McCamey, Texas to Dr. James Leonard Cooper and Mary Alice Cooper on July 12, 1961. Joni went to primary schools in McCamey, and was an honor graduate at McCamey High School in 1979. She earned her floral designer certificate in 1984 at the Phil Rulloda Floral Design School in Phoenix AZ, and her Associate of Science degree at Odessa College in 2001.

Joni's biggest passion was in floral design. She was owner/operator of Joni's Floral Designs and Gifts in McCamey (1987-1990) and worked at several other floral retailers in Crane, McCamey, Odessa, and Midland while training others and always leaving the shops better than before. Joni also expressed her art by acrylic paintings, and her apparel, all with a special interest in tropical flowers and a turquoise color theme. She also created her own Room By Room Redesign business for professional home staging in the real estate market after completing her Accredited Staging Professionals (ASP) training program. Joni's work history included jobs with the U.S. Public Health Service (field interviewer), McCamey ISD (Substitute Teacher), McCamey Chamber of Commerce (Secretary/Manager), and U.S. Census Bureau - Commerce Department (Field Enumerator).

Joni's children were always the highest priority. "Nini" did everything and more to provide for her children, including raising grandchildren in her home.

Joni is preceded in death (in order) by her father, Dr. James Leonard Cooper, sister Davena Barfield, 1st husband Greg Brazell, and brother Jim Barfield.

Joni is survived by her husband Gilbert Jean Van Deventer, mother Mary Alice Boren of Odessa, and her sisters Judy Cooper Walker, Jan Cooper both of Albuquerque, NM, her daughter Samantha Little, son Zachary Brazell, son-in-law, Patrick William Van Deventer, daughter-in-law Ashlee Van Deventer and 10 grandchildren.

Pallbearers include Gilbert Van Deventer, Patrick Van Deventer, Zachary Brazell, Daelyn Little, Joshua Diamond, and Donal Williams.