Ed was born on September 11, 1936, in Simpson County, Mississippi to Mr. P. D. Cockrell and Mrs. Beatrice Hollifield Cockrell.
He spent most of his life in Simpson County and served his country as a United States Marine. Even though his time was short in the Marine Corp he was a true warrior and proudly honored his country when he could. After leaving the military you could find him working helping his family, or you might see him on a piece of heavy machine equipment operating to make sure you had electricity working for Mississippi Power and Light (MP&L) until his retirement.
When he was not working you could see him fishing, taking care of his animals, or traveling with his lovely wife to Gatlinburg, Tennessee where they would vacation often.
Ed is preceded in death by his parents, his lovely wife, Velma Cockrell; and brothers, Dale Cockrell, Doug Cockrell, and Hershall Cockrell.
Those left to carry on his memory and legacy is his son, Jimmy Cockrell (Desiree); grandson, Devin Cockrell (Kayden); and great-grandchildren, Kayge and Waylon Cockrell.
The family will receive friends on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, from 10:00am-12:00pm at Baldwin-Lee Funeral Home in Pearl, Mississippi. A memorial service will follow in the funeral home chapel at 12:00pm. Interment will take place after at Floral Hills Memory Gardens in Pearl, Mississippi.
