Sandra Cochran

Sandra Kay Smith Cochran was born August 9, 1940, in Acme, NC, the daughter of the late Leon Thomas Smith and Naomi Francis Spivey Smith. Sandra and her family moved to Southport when she was five, and she never left the town she loved and called home.

Sandra was a lifelong member of Southport Baptist Church, where she was an active volunteer, Sunday School teacher, and served on numerous committees until her health began to decline. Sandra truly had a servant’s heart and would help anyone in need. She not only opened her heart to others but also literally opened her home to help others get on their feet.

Sandra worked in banking for thirty years. She loved her customers so much that when she was promoted to Assistant Vice President, she insisted on having her desk behind the teller line to make sure she stayed in touch with them.

Sandra enjoyed reading, solving crossword puzzles, planting flowers, bird watching, trivia, and jigsaw puzzles. She was also a talented seamstress. Making matching Easter dresses for her daughters and granddaughters became a family tradition.

Sandra was devoted to her family and cherished time spent with all of her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She loved big and considered her family her greatest source of joy.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her sisters, Julia Daniel and Tinkie Smith, her baby brother, Leon Smith, and her grandson Jesse Lockamy.

Left to cherish her memory are her loving children, Danny Cochran, Linda Bakan (David), Debbie Minett (Jimmy), and Janet Elliott, all of Southport. Grandchildren Jamie Cochran, Jason Bakan (Deannah), Matthew Cochran, Keri Yount (Jamie), Kelly Salmon (Gary), James Minett, Joanna Warner (Scott), and Kristie Salmon (Francis). Great-grandchildren Daniel Cochran, Joseph Cochran (Abby), Joshua Cochran, Andrew Cochran, Zachary Hallman, Ethan Hallman, Rebekah Bakan, Haylee Bakan, Emily Bakan, Abigail Salmon, Jacob Salmon, Mason Salmon, Wyatt Salmon, Elizabeth Warner, and her great-great-grandson, Hunter Vereen. She is also survived by her brother Tommy Smith.

A funeral service will be held at Southport Baptist Church at 3:00 pm on Friday, January 30, 2026 with graveside services following at Northwood Cemetery with Reverend Eddie Hicks officiating.

The family will receive friends on Thursday, January 29, 2026 from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm at the home of Debbie & Jimmy Minett located at 1027 Captain Adkins Drive.

Donations can be made to Southport Baptist Church or St. Jude Children’s Hospital.

Online condolences may be made at www.peacocknewnamwhite.com

Peacock - Newnam & White Funeral and Cremation Service, Southport, North Carolina.