A native of Dumas, Arkansas, she was born on June 19, 1921. She was the daughter of the late Thomas W. Eastham and Annie Jo Roney Eastham of Dumas, Arkansas. Her late brother was Alan W. Eastham Sr.
The widow of George L. Cockerham, she is survived by a son, George M. Cockerham (Carol) of Midland, Texas and granddaughter Ashley E. McArdle (Sam) of Los Angeles California. She is also survived by Sister-in-Law Betty Jo Brown of DeQuincy, many nieces and nephews and their extended families.
She had lived in DeQuincy for 73 years. She arrived in 1945 after graduating from Hendrix College in Conway, Ark. and LSU to begin her teaching career. She retired as a teacher and reading lab instructor with 28 years of service to the Calcasieu Parish School District. She was a member of the National Education Association, Louisiana Teacher’s Association, Calcasieu Education Association, Louisiana Retired Teachers’ Association and Calcasieu-Cameron Retired Teachers Association. She was a charter member and secretary of the Friendship Study Club, a member of General Federated Women’s Club, Secretary for District 7 General Federated Women’s Clubs of La. and State Chairman for GFWC’s Literacy program-Stories Offer Adventure-Read (SOAR).
She was a member of the DeQuincy United Methodist Church where she served on the Administrative Council, past President of the United Methodist Women, member of the Women’s Bible Class and the Cooley/Harmony Circle.
Mrs. Cockerham was chosen to receive the DeQuincy Civic Service Award in 1987.
Funeral services will be held at 1:00pm on Wednesday, September 26, 2018 at the DeQuincy United Methodist Church with Rev. Jim Barrett and Rev. Richard Teeter officiating. A visitation will be held at Hixson Snider Funeral Home from 5:00pm until 8:00pm on Tuesday, September 25, 2018. Visitation will resume on Wednesday at the DeQuincy United Methodist Church from 12:00pm until the time of the service. Burial will be in Rigmaiden Cemetery.
