I was just thinking about you the other day I remember you being my principal my 6th grade year at Connell Middle School before you went  to Fox Tech. 
You did not play around.  You were also nice to when I would see you in the hall and say hi.

I always looked you up on Facebook to see your adventures you would post and I just now found out you passed 2 months ago. I'm heartbroken. You were our  principle at Jefferson Middle School off Holmgreen Ave. In 1983 I got into a mini fight in the cafeteria and you pulled us apart and we had to go into your office, where we both got 2 paddle wacks on our derriere. Trust I never fought again, You were always loving and caring about all the middle school kids. We ran into each other in 2007 again and never in a million years would I have thought I be having beer with my middle school principle. Thank you for caring about us all. You will be dearly missed. ❤️

You were there when we needed you the most.  You had a way of dealing with people.  You shared some of your unique techniques with me.  Rest in peace friend. I will always remember you.

Thank you for all you did for our children and our community and we will never forget you! We’re so thankful that you were a part of our lives.
Mrs. Mendiola

I am so thankful for having been her student.
Rosalind Sherman Pritchard.

My deepest condolences and prayers to Ms. Cockrell's family and prayers for her as she journeys home. I was a textbook clerk when she was an Asst.  Principle at Sam Houston High School (still the Cherokees  at that time). She cared about students and people with a strength that many would not understand, and many of us did .... 100%. She was an inspiration to me as an early educator. When I would see her over the years in SAISD, she would always make me feel that I mattered. I appreciated that and respected her so much. When I became an Asst. Principle and would come across a difficult situation, I would ask myself " what would Joann Cockrell do?" What would she expect me to do?  .... Doing what was best for the student was always the correct answer. She will be missed and I was shocked to hear of her passing. Prayers to all her family and thank you for sharing her with so many people who loved her too.

She was a special lady and had a tremendous influence on my early life. She was my coach at Arnold Elementary summer recreation center. She taught us so much about life and hard work besides the skills for all sports. We won the City Championship in softball under her. I used a lot of her coaching techniques in my career! Thanks for caring!
Melinda Venable Kirst

She was my best principal in 30+ years of teaching!

MONK 
We bumped into you and your total support of students, families and your staff. I believed in you and you believed in all of us during that 1st year at FOX TECH in ‘95. The teamwork, bonding schools within schools and bonding the entire school to turn Tech into a leader in the district! You lead your staffs to attend church in our attendance zone twice a year, furthering our stated commitment that we were their community and they were ours. The meeting goals with students, scholarships, city partnerships and a Stare Champion Boys 4AAAA Basketball team. You were a magnet to success, that just had that unique way of getting kids and teachers to commit to giving their all, to be the academic champions of their own destinies ! Each campus you served you replicated it over and over. Just like your friends from up near horseshoe bay wrote from water aerobic classes there - you were one in a million, heck maybe even one in a billion ! 
You taught so many adults how to meet academic goals and how to run successful schools- that there should be a certification process based on your dynamic leadership. 
Your humor, celebrations and stories were among the best I’ve heard.
When I received the news that you had experienced a bad strike and brain surgery to remove the clot … I along with many other friends and former employees just Knew that you would wake up and rehab out. I can just hear you getting to heaven giving directions “ everyone get your shirts tucked in - this is heaven and we will look our best “ Yep that would be you. AJC I will cherish all the memories both good and some bad. I will cherish the laughter and your crazy luck and crazy stories. I did not want you to leave us, but I know if you could not have your full life back at 100% mobility, speech, performance, freedom - you would have been less than happy. And I have to admit the idea of you being in post stoke intensive function therapy sort of made me feel anxious for the staff that would be trying to help you do things “ the AJC way”. So if you and the almighty had a brief conversation I know that you decided what was best with your Lord. 
I ask that you watch and guide over the literally thousands upon thousands of lives that you touched. I ask that somehow you can still bless us in our health and goals. I thank you for hiring me and being a friend, and also the designated person to come jump start your corvettes when you would leave the internal lights on in the downtown parking garage over night. Yes, that was always an honor in teasing you ! Thank you for living your faith and for gathering others back into their own faiths. Thank you for sharing your Mother with us ! Thank you for giving “ the look” sometimes at our Folk choir when you provided not like the song - I’m pretty sure “ the look” is known by many who worked for you !
Thank you for sharing as an example to live life, to the fullest extent living large in who we are ! I will pray thankfully each day for you and I will always remember that you are part of all of us. You will live on in the grace, love and leadership you shared with us all. God Bless America and God Bless Alice Joanne Cockrell!
Deepest condolences to Debra Thorton and AJCs brothers and families.

I first met Ms. Cockrell with the class of 95. I owe her my high-school diploma. If it weren't for her I would have never achieved it. I was suppose to graduate the class of 97. I would skip school a lot. At the time I felt what good was a high school diploma. She believed in me. She would always check in with me. She saw something in me that no one in my life including myself saw. She saw potential in me. She allowed me to register in 95 with the baby buffs. I didn't let Ms. Cockrell down. I fought my way to catch up with my credits and I was able to walk across the stage in June of 99. I remember when I was handed my diploma I had a warm embrace with Ms Cockrell in which I told her my diploma belonged to her. She was my inspiration. Because of her I am where I am today. I will truly miss her. My condolences to her and her family.

Sitting here reading through the memories posted by others and they all share the same sentiment. I add to that thought with a personal memory and experience I as well had with you. It was 2002 and I was in danger of not being eligible to play baseball my Senior year due to a failing grade in PreAP physics. I didn’t know who to turn to so I turned to you. I went into your office and you immediately made time for me likely noticing the concern on my face. I told you how bad I wanted to play baseball my final year and how my physics class was not a needed class for me. You showed me true compassion and told me if that class was not needed to graduate you were going to sign me out of it and get me to play out my season. Thank you so much for allowing me to make some final memories in the sport that I loved. You were tough but we loved you cause you loved us. Rest easy Ms Cockrell we will surely miss you! Class of 02’ “Second to none”

Well, I met this amazing principal back in 95 when I was a freshman trying to get into Fox Tech High School. When I had to get her to sign off on my paperwork to get a special transfer and she told me you are in good hand here and we’re glad to have you. I still remember when I told her I sign to play college football at the next level the look on her face was so adorable. Then when I saw her back in 07 and she ask me how I was doing and I told her I graduated from college and now working for the city she was so happy for me and give me a big hug and told me I need to come work for school District. Thank you for believing in me and being there for me.

Thank you for sharing her with us. Ms. Cockrell gave my best friend, Jose Marcelino (God Rest His Soul), and I an opportunity to work in education. We both have had a length career Thanks to Her. Prayers for her Family and Friends. God Rest Her Soul.
Ms. Sara A. Galvan

Thank you for giving me my start in leadership! Thank you for believing in me- you will be greatly missed….Kim Wood

To the family sorry for your loss and when I had found out late this afternoon...I wish I was there at Jefferson High School to stand and wave my final goodbye Thank you Ms.Cockrell for being the best/supported Principal I had at Fox Tech High School. My she rest in peace and joined out heavily father in the sky. 

Jose L. Quintana Jr. 
Class of 2003

May our condolences bring you comfort and our prayers ease the pain of her loss.  Edward & Isabel Fears colleagues and friends of Joanne at SAiSD

Mrs.cockrell you were such an amazing principle and you made a impact on everyone you helped you will be dearly missed by so many thank you for everything you did for the mustang community ❤️💙

You were an inspiration, thank you for not giving up on me, for going out of your way. Some teachers may not have agreed on your work ethic but it worked. 
We need more people like you
FOX TECH CLASS OF 1997

I remember when it was my senior year of 2003 I was getting ready to graduate but I was skipping so bad I had to take some classes to get caught up Mrs  crockwell told my mama that I wasn’t going to graduate baby she didn’t sugar code or hide she told my mama I was leaving campus everyday 🤣 we’ll make a long story short her words to me when I walked that stage she told me to continue my education and never give up what an amazing principal she was even though we did not have a senior field day our prom was everything. You will be missed the best principal hands down

Joanne Cockrell, the Joe Clark (Lean on Me) of Fox Tech during her reign as principal, saving our school from being shut down.  You lead with a steel gavel and a compassionate heart for your students.  You fought tooth and nail to get us to realize our potential as you saw it and giving up was never an option. It was a shape up or ship out mentality that we all survived and are better because it.  
This is the memory of you I will carry with me.  

Fox Tech c/o 1997

Ms. Cockrell was my VP when I was at Sam Houston & later she was my brother's principal at Fox Tech.  I never met a woman with such an amazing, caring yet strong & bold personality.  Her door along with her heart was open for any & every student.  When my brother graduated & she had announced she was retiring I felt compelled to make a painting for her.  She never wanted a bug fuss made for her, but her staff loved her & somehow at that graduation ceremony in 2002 we were able to give her that painting, but I knew in my heart she couldn't ever really leave.  Her leadership, tenacity & undominable spirit couldn't say no to a challenge.  Go rest high on that mountain Joanne...job well done Ms. Cockrell...

Coach Cockrell was my Basketball Coach and Cross Country Coach at Highlands High School 1977-1979.  She was a tough Coach but taught us responsibility, good sportsmanship and teamwork!  RIP Coach Cockrell.  💕 🙏🏻 

J. Stephens (HHS Class ‘79)

JoAnn was the vice principal at Davis when I was a student.  She was tough, but loving and fun.  Then years later when I was miserable at my first teaching job, I reached out to her for help.  She wrote a grant and brought me to work with her.  Without her support, I would have quit.  I am now retired after 30+ years and hope I was a fraction as good of a teacher and administrator as she was.  I will miss you, my mentor and friend.

may your beautiful memories of Joanne provide you comfort during this difficult time

Ms. Cockrell

I will never forget all the wonderful memories we shared together and the exceptional leadership you displayed at Jefferson during my time as a student there. You were a true inspiration to so many and one of the reasons why I chose to go into campus administration. You were a true blessing in my life and a mother figure to me at school. Thank you for everything you did for me and the Jefferson/SAISD Community. You are a true Godsend. May you rest in peace, you will be truly missed. 

Garrett Jackson

You will greatly be missed. Thank you for your tough love and letting us see our potential. Winning the Blue Ribbon and Chilli Bowl were amazing memories that I won’t forget. Fox Tech class of 2002 ! Go Buffalos

Ms. Cockrell,

Thank you for being a tremendous impact in so many lives to include mine at Fox Tech. You were one amazing woman and definitely unforgettable. Thank you for buying school clothes for me during a real hardship in my family in 1997, I'm forever grateful❤️ May you rest easy as you will truly be missed, JOB WELL DONE🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾

My condolences to the family!  My name is Sarah Kemper, I am the former secretary at Sam Houston High School!  Ms. Cockrell was an assistant principal!  We all loved her dearly!  RIP

Thank you for touching the lives of so many individuals.  May Debbie and Joanne's family fine comfort, strength and peace in all the cherished memories created and shared.

Rest peacefully ms. Joanne. You were Loved by many. Your beautiful smile and persona will be a loss for many. God is Love - Revelation 21:3 & 4,  Isaiah 26:19.

My condolences and prayers for the family and friends of Joanne. 
I met Joanne when I started teaching at Highlands High School. I then worked for her at Connell MS and again at HHS. She was an amazing teacher, coach and administrator. She will be missed and remembered.

With our loving sympathy!Carl and Angela Vinklarek & family

Ms. Cockrell,

Thank you for being a blessing in my life, I wouldn’t be where I am today without you. No words can fully describe the support and encouragement you gave to SAISD students, especially us, your TJHS Mustangs. You were with us through every challenge, and your legacy lives on in every life you crossed paths with. Because of you, the world is a better place, and now it is our turn to continue the work you started. Though you're no longer with us, your impact will be felt forever. May you rest in eternal peace. 

Clarisa Medina

So many memories and so many good times at Tech and after!  You were an amazing boss and dear friend.  I will miss your uniqueness, your way with words, and your unwavering kindness and support.
Rest in peace, my friend.

Barney and I had the honor of knowing Joanne for the last six months. Joanne was one in a million. She kept us all laughing with her unique sense of humor at water aerobics. The class adored Joanne.
When Joanne learned we shared her faith, she invited us for mass and potluck, at the local Catholic Church. Joanne graciously introduced us to church members. It was apparent that the congregation valued, admired and respected Joanne. We will miss her very much.
Deepest heartfelt condolences to the family of Joanne.
Dr. Barney and Mrs. Leann Nicholson

Celebrating your life of extraordinary accomplishments and giving heart God Bless You!

Surrounded by love, our hearts are with you.  Joanne will be greatly missed, but in our heart forever.

Joanne will be missed.  Loved to see Joanne and Debbie at happy hour .
Always made me laugh.  Joanne had such a kind heart.  Rest in peace.
Michelle

Mrs.Cockrell ,
Words will never amount to the love you gave your fellow Mustang Family at TJH. Thank you for all the life advice (that ended up coming true for me), the chit chats in the hallway, the endless laughs & for listening to my constant stories about life. You will be missed. I still to this day carry your words in my heart to "never give up!" & too always "take it step by step, because you have to crawl before you run!". A true Legend! Once a Mustang, always a Mustang! ❤️💙. 

TJH C/O 2014! 
Lesley Lopez

Dear Ms. Cockrell, thank you for making your mark at Jefferson ✨ No one will ever do what you did, not only for the school but for us as students 💗 

Every high schooler needs a spirited, engaged, caring principal in their lives. Thank you for making my senior year the best it could be. Thomas Jefferson HS Class of 2012 was lucky to have you 🫶🏻 

May you rest in peace 🤍

OBITUARY

Joanne Cockrell

May 26, 1943 – September 24, 2024

Porter Loring Mortuary - McCullough

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