Sandra C. Cockriel

Sandra Cheryl Cockriel (née Harlan), surrounded by her family, passed away on March 9, 2025, in Columbia, Missouri, at the age of 89. Sandy was born on February 14, 1936, in Independence, Missouri, to Jocie Lucille Patton and Chester Lee Harlan. She was the middle child of three sisters reared by parents who instilled Christian values in a loving home. Sandy was a member of 4-H, where she earned numerous awards for her sewing projects, and graduated with honors from William Chrisman High School.

Sandy received a teaching scholarship and attended Central Missouri State College in Warrensburg, Missouri, where she became a member of the Alpha Sigma Alpha sorority. She graduated with honors, earning a Bachelor of Science in Education. The day after her graduation, on May 31, 1958, she married her beloved husband, Irvin Wayne Cockriel.

Sandy and Irv have lived in Columbia, Missouri, for nearly sixty years, cherishing this nurturing community. They joined Memorial Baptist Church on their first Sunday as residents, and it has remained a vital part of their lives ever since. Sandy and Irv have enjoyed singing in the church choir. Sandy taught Vacation Bible School and cared for toddlers, which allowed their parents to attend the worship service.

Sandy created a nurturing home for her family. She was a caring and supportive mother to Steven, Mark, and Julie, all of whom knew they were loved unconditionally. The Cockriel home was a place of faith, where the teachings of Jesus Christ were shared. They attended church together as a family and sang in the choir. Sandy engaged with her children’s interests and enjoyed attending their games, concerts, and recitals. As a grandmother to seven, Sandy loved each grandchild deeply and supported them just as she had her own children.

Sandy cherished the art of homemaking and excelled at keeping a clean and tidy home. While she was an accomplished baker and cook, she was particularly renowned for her delicious cinnamon rolls, which she generously shared with others. Additionally, Sandy played the piano, possessed a strong soprano voice, and excelled as a seamstress and quilter.

Sandy taught home economics at David H. Hickman High School and later earned a Master of Education from the University of Missouri. For 16 years, she served as a guidance counselor at Rock Bridge High School, where she became well-known as a counselor who genuinely cared. Sandy devoted her life to God, her family, and her community, including her membership and service in the Philanthropic Educational Organization (P.E.O.).

Sandy and Irv hosted many exciting and enjoyable family reunions with their children, spouses, and grandchildren. As Grandma and Grandpa, they took each grandchild on a trip of their choice. Sandy and Irv loved to travel domestically and internationally and particularly relished trips with friends. Sandy was a devoted friend to many.

Sandy was preceded in death by her parents, Jocie and Chester Harlan, and her sister, Pat Robertson (Gary). She is survived by her sister, Kathy Penny (Jim). Sandy is lovingly remembered and will be greatly missed by her devoted husband of 66 years, Irvin Cockriel; her sons, Steven Cockriel (Danna) and Mark Cockriel (Cynthia); and her daughter, Julie Sanders (Riley). She was a generous, caring, and supportive grandmother to Amanda Jane Jones (née Cockriel), Samuel Cockriel, Will Cockriel, Tim Cockriel, Madeline Cockriel, William Sanders, and Rachel Sanders. Additionally, Sandy was a great-grandmother to ten, with another great-grandchild on the way.

Rather than sending flowers, please consider contributing to the Sandra Harlan Cockriel Scholarship Endowment through the University of Central Missouri Alumni Foundation (UCM Alumni Foundation, PO Box 800, Warrensburg, MO 64093; or online at ucmfoundation.org/give/in-memory with note that the donation is in memory of Sandra Harlan Cockriel). Sandy established this scholarship in 2008 to support graduating high school seniors who intend to pursue a degree in teacher education at UCM.

Visitation is scheduled for Saturday, April 12th, at 10:00 a.m., followed by a memorial service at 11:00 a.m. at Memorial Baptist Church, located at 1643 Paris Road, Columbia, Missouri.