Mrs. Margaret “Bobbie” Emogene Cochran Yearick, 90, went Home to Heaven on Saturday morning, March 17, following complications from three hip surgeries. A resident of Greenville for more than 60 years, she left an indelible mark on our community, both as an educator and a pastor’s wife to the late Dr. David Yearick of Hampton Park Baptist Church.
Born on December 28, 1927, to J.T. and Della Cochran in Six Mile, SC, Bobbie-along with her four brothers-was reared by “Mama Della” after the death of her father on February 1, 1941.
Bobbie taught Freshman Speech at BJU for almost a decade before Dave became pastor of Hampton Avenue Baptist Church in 1964. Before returning to life as a college professor in 1972, Bobbie spent several years teaching a nighttime speech class at Greenville Technical College. This job opened the door for her to teach seminars on business communication at Dupont, Michelin, Liberty Life, and GHS, to name a few. When she returned to BJU, she used the experience she had gained doing these seminars to create the Oral Communications for the Professions course and teaching it until her retirement in 1997. God enabled her to share the experiences and lessons of being a pastor’s wife to teach the Minister’s Wives class along with Beneth Jones, a long-time friend with whom she also co-authored With Heart and Hand, a book based on the course they taught together.
Bobbie was involved in nearly every aspect of the ministry at Hampton Park where Dave was the senior pastor for almost 40 years. She taught Sunday School classes in nearly every age group. For over 30 years she taught a Ladies Bible Study that still continues today.
Bobbie had the privilege to speak across the United States and abroad, to mentor and counsel hundreds, and to provide gracious hospitality to statesmen and the underprivileged alike. She offered foretastes of the feast she’s enjoying now with her husband, her parents, her brothers, dear friends, and her Savior whom she loved so much.
Bobbie is survived by her son Bob (Nancee Lee) of Greenville, daughter Marla (Ted) Allston of Taylors, and daughter Genie (Jerry) McCorkle of Simpsonville, 8 grandchildren, and 11 great-grandchildren, with the 12th due in April.
Bobbie will be remembered for her smile, her kindness, and her love for Jesus.
The family will receive friends on Friday, March 23rd, from 5:00-8:00 PM at Mackey Funerals & Cremations, 311 Century Dr. in Greenville. Bobbie's funeral will be on Saturday, March 24th at 10:30 AM at Hampton Park Baptist Church, 875 State Park Road, Greenville.
The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, memorials be made to the ministry of your choosing.