Rev. Robert Franklin Cochran

Cochran, Rev. Robert F., 94, pastor Emeritus of Bon Air Baptist Church, Richmond, died on Dec. 1, 2015. He was born in Neal, Georgia and grew up in Columbia, South Carolina. He became a Christian at a tent revival at age 13, joined the Tabernacle Baptist Church and joyfully immersed himself in its programs and activities. Upon graduation from high school he spent the next six years as a part-time student at the University of South Carolina and full-time employee as clerk to the Chief of Detectives, Columbia Police Dept. During these years he initiated and led six weekly Sunday services at the jail and an apartment complex. For a year and half he directed the city wide “Youth for Christ” movement which Billy Graham came and helped organize—with Saturday evening attendance averaging 1,000 plus. In 1947 he graduated from the University of South Carolina, was ordained to the ministry and entered Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, where he met and married Jo Hughes, a fellow student from Greer, South Carolina. They graduated in 1950. They celebrated 65 years in marriage this past June. He has pastored five Baptist churches—Santo, Texas; Piedmont, S.C.; Galax, VA; Alexandria, VA; and Bon Air from 1966-86 from which he retired and was named Pastor Emeritus. Over the following 10 years he was Interim Pastor at seven area Baptist churches—Raleigh Forbes, Bethel, Chesterfield, Westhunt, Gwathmey, Hopeful and Biltmore. His denominational service included First Vice President of the Virginia Baptist General Association; a VGBA Board Member; a Member of the Southern Baptist Convention Sunday School Board and Foreign Mission Board. He is survived by his wife, Jo Cochran and five children, Robert Jr. (Denise) of Malibu, CA, David (Sheryl) of Alexandria, Becky Coram (Rusty) of Alexandria, Steve (Jenny) of Birmingham, AL, Paul (Sarah) of Chester. He was also a warm and loving grandfather to 13 grandchildren: Christina, Robbie, Kevin, Matt, Jake, Luke, Sarah, Joseph, Casey, Leah, Josie; Paul, Jr.and Thomas. Of his five siblings he is survived by Hulda Arant and her husband Buddy of Greensboro, N.C. A memorial service will be held at Bon Air Baptist Church, 2531 Buford Rd., Richmond 23235 on Saturday, Dec. 5 at 1:00. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be sent to Bon Air Baptist Church Endowment Fund in memory of Robert Franklin Cochran. Condolences may be offered at woodyfuneralhomehuguenot.com.