A dual Christian sermon for Carmen Cocke, who passed on October 10, 2022 and Colonel William Frank Cocke, USAF, Retired, who passed on February 11, 2020 will be held at the chapel of Hill Crest Memorial. Visitation will be from 1:00 pm until 2:00 pm. The chapel service will begin at 2:00 pm followed by a graveside service with full military honors a gun salute for William F. Cocke and military honors for Carmen Cocke. Afterwards, there will be a reception for all friends and family in the reception hall at Hill Crest.
Carmen Cocke was born in Jayuya, Puerto Rico, on July 31, 1935. Carmen was the eldest of 8 children. Carmen left Puerto Rico in 1962 and joined the United State Air Force. She held the position of CRNA and rank of Captain for 6 years. Afterwards she had a career as a CRNA, nurse anesthetist, at the VA Medical Hospital in Shreveport and retired after 21 faithful years.
Carmen remarried Bill Cocke and they stayed happily married for 31 years. Carmen and Bill loved their friends and family. They were generous givers to several charitable organizations. Bill volunteered faithfully for ROTC programs in several local high schools and also at the Glen, a local Nursing home. Carmen and Bill were faithful parishioners of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church.
Col. Bill Cocke was born in Vinton (Ged) Louisiana, on June 19, 1930. He attended college at Southwestern Louisiana Institute in Lafayette, Louisiana. Col. Cocke was a past base commander at Barksdale Air Force Base and he also served his country in a long distinguished military career in the United States Air Force. After retiring from the Air Force, he held a management position at Boeing in Lake Charles, Louisiana. Col. Cocke’s final career was in the oil and gas industry as an independent landman in Shreveport, Louisiana.
Colonel William Cocke, USAF, Retired passed away on February 11, 2020 in his home in Shreveport, Louisiana, following an illness.
Col. Cocke was survived by his two sons, William L. Cocke and John S. Cocke, of San Francisco; a daughter and son in law Karen and Johnny Lott; and a granddaughter Samantha Lott, of Abilene Texas. He had a third son, who proceeded his death in 2018, whose name was Michael S. Cocke, also of Abilene, Texas.
Carmen Cocke is survived by her daughters Regina Markham from Bossier City and Danielle Shaffer from Niceville, Florida; her grandchildren, Julia and Jake Shaffer from Niceville, Florida, Dr. Cory and Stacey Markham of Shreveport, Louisiana, and T.J. and Macaela Markham of Bossier City, Louisiana; 6 great grandchildren; several nieces and nephews; her siblings in Puerto Rico, Expedita Miranda, Teresa Miranda Morales, Ivelisse Miranda Morales, Carlos Miranda Morales; and sibling Gualberto Miranda Morales in the United States.
Carmen is preceded in death by her spouse, Col. William F. Cocke on February 11, 2020; her parents Florita Morales and Jesus Miranda; and two sisters.
They lived a long and full life and they are celebrating for eternity in heaven.
