Nella Dean Cochran Rand

Psalm 73:23 – Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand.

On November 8, 2012 Nell Cochran Rand went to heaven to be with her Savior, Jesus. Our beloved Mother was a beautiful rose, no matter the season. She personified everything a Godly woman and mother should be.

Mother was born in Warrior, Alabama December 11, 1932 to Robert and Glennie Cochran. Being the thrill-seeker that she was, she moved to San Diego, CA after graduation from high school to work for Penall Aernatics. It was there, she met and married Daniel Murrill Rand in 1954 and moved to Richlands, NC.

Richlands was home to Mother. She loved her community and her church. Everyone who met her was encouraged by her infectious joy, unconditional love, and her “light up the room” smile. She was one of a kind, a true original! Mother dedicated many years of her life to the children of Richlands Elementary School where she was a teachers’ assistant. She always called her job, “my fun job.” After her retirement it made her day to go places in the community and have former students come up to her and express their fondness for her. She always had an encouraging word for them and would make a point to tell each one how proud she was of them.

Mothers' greatest passion in life was her faith in Jesus Christ, her seven daughters, 29 grandchildren, 4 great grandchildren, and a host of friends that she surrounded herself with. She loved people in every sense of the word.

She nurtured and guided her seven daughters with wisdom and wit. Her mantra was to always take the high road, do the right thing by people no matter how difficult it may be and to always look for the best in others. Mother lived this example before her family and everyone she encountered in life.

She is survived by her brother Bobby Cochran of Tuscaloosa, Alabama and her seven daughters and their families: Melonie and Danny Shepard of Jacksonville, Robin and Pat Wall of Apex, Dena and Amobi Agu of Cary, Tamara and Pat Kiernan of Siler City; Stephanie and Tom Gervase of Fuquay Varina; Jill and Chris Berkebile of Richlands; and Andrea and John Foy of Fuquay Varina.

Grandchildren: Lexi and Luke Adair of Charlotte; Matthew and Ashley Shepard of Jacksonville; Austin Kiernan of Siler City; Caleb and Renee Kiernan of Burlington, Olivia, Madison, Micah, Samuel, Ashley and Isabelle Kiernan of Siler City; Elijah and Colby Agu of Cary; Nathan and Claire Wall of Apex, Alexandria, Abigail, Garrett, Audrey, Gabriel, and Addily Berkebile of Richlands; Joel, Jackson, Rachel, Brooke, and Luke Foy of Fuquay Varina, and Paul Will, Lily, and Brenden Gervase of Fuquay Varina.

Great grand-children: Kennedy Caroline and Ava Claire Shepard, Emmett Harrison Kiernan, and Parker Alexis Adair.

Proverbs 31:28 – Her children arise up, and call her blessed. and out, a beacon of light, joy and encouragement.

Visitation will be held at Kingdom Life Fellowship Hwy 258 Monday, November 12th from 1:00-3:00 and all other times at the home of Danny and Melonie Shepard, 315 W. Howard Dr. Jacksonville NC. The funeral will immediately follow at 3:00.

A heartfelt thank you to all of our family and friends who were a constant inspiration to us throughout mothers life.

Arrangements by Johnson Funeral Home, Richlands.