Barbara Jean Cockerham

Known as a master teacher, Barbara Jean Cockerham, 85, a 55-year resident of Riverside, California, passed away unexpectedly while walking her beloved dog, Toby, on August 14, 2025.

Barbara was born on December 27, 1939, in Boston, Massachusetts. She has one younger sister, Laurie McLaughlin, who lives in Riverside. She is preceded in death by her son, Garrett Charles, in 1985, and her husband, Steve, in 2018.

Barbara earned her Bachelor of Arts at Vanguard University in 1961. Her first real job was in El Salvador, working for Paul Finkenbinder (Hermano Pablo) in his Christian broadcasting endeavor and his K-8 school as a missionary secretary. While there, she met the love of her life, Steve, who was serving as a Peace Corps volunteer. This marked the beginning of a five-plus decades of marriage. The couple enjoyed spending time with other volunteers and driving around in a little blue jeep.

After Barbara and Steve returned to the U.S., they married in Indiana, and she started her lifelong career of teaching. In 1967, they moved to California. Barbara taught elementary school for several years, managed federal and state programs at the site level, and was a school principal for seven years. During this time, Barbara also continued her own learning path, earning two master’s Degrees in Ed. Tech. at Pepperdine University, 1989, and Ed. Leadership at National University, 1993.

In 1996, Barbara began working at the Riverside County Office of Education as a Curriculum Coordinator for four years; following that with one year as a literacy consultant for the Los Angeles County Office of Education. The capstone of Barbara’s career was the job she retired from in 2015 after 14 years - Assistant Professor in the Metcalf School of Education at California Baptist University. During that time, she earned a PhD from Northcentral University.

Barbara was a prolific reader, flipping the pages voraciously. Toby, her dog, was also a faithful companion for the last several years; walking him every morning for a mile around her hilltop neighborhood was a joy. Barbara worked diligently to stay in good mental and physical shape, reading and writing, and working with a personal trainer twice a week. Barbara and Steve loved to travel, and she continued adventuring after Steve passed; a trip to Australia was planned for the fall.

Barbara is survived by her son, Fernando Gabela, and wife, Alicia, and two granddaughters, Jessica and Jackie, who reside in Diamond Bar; and Laurie McLaughlin, Barbara’s sister, and her daughters, Erin (Josh), Meaghan (Kris), and Kate (Clifton), and their children. Also, an integral part of the family system includes nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear longtime friends. Her niece Jodie and partner Kat reside in Idaho. By marriage to Steve, Barbara has innumerable grand nieces and nephews in Minnesota as well, including Nephews Scott and Randy.

A visitation for Barbara will be held Monday, September 8, 2025, from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Acheson & Graham Garden of Prayer Mortuary, 7944 Magnolia Ave, Riverside, CA 92504. A funeral service will occur on Tuesday, September 9, 2025, from 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM, at 7944 Magnolia Ave, Riverside, CA 92504. A committal service will occur on Tuesday, September 9, 2025, from 1:30 PM to 2:00 PM at Olivewood Memorial Park, 3300 Central Ave, Riverside, CA 92506. Immediately following the committal service, Barbara's family and friends are invited to a family-hosted gathering for sharing memories at her sister Laurie's house at 2926 McAllister St., Riverside, CA. Light refreshments will be provided.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to PBS SoCal - https://www.pbssocal.org/support/donate.