Mary Slay Cochran

Mary Alice Slay was born in Nacogdoches, Texas on August 5, 1923, the fifth child of Oscar Blackburn Slay and Mollie Eudora Weatherly Slay. She grew up on her family's Nacogdoches homestead and graduated from Nacogdoches High School. During World War II, she attended Stephen F. Austin State University, graduating in 1944 with a Bachelor of Science. Soon after, Mary met her husband, K. Keith Cochran, while working for the Weather Bureau in Corpus Christi, Texas. On July 7th, 1946, Mary and K. Keith were married and began their 52-year adventure together.

Mary Cochran's adult life was characterized by her selfless devotion to her family, and her commitment to her church. She was a loving and nurturing mother and grandmother to four children and ten grandchildren. After her children were grown, Mary worked several years as a dorm mother at the Baptist School of Nursing, where she enjoyed helping young women pursue their careers in medicine. She was a dedicated Baptist and active member of Shearer Hills Baptist Church, where she taught Sunday school for over fifteen years. She was deeply loved and will always be remembered by her family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, three brothers, and loving husband.

Mary is survived by one sister, Virginia Collins of Henderson, TX; three sons, Michael Scott Cochran and his wife Angella Trammell Cochran of Lubbock, TX, Jon Keith Cochran and his wife Sarah Speier Cochran of San Antonio, TX, Jeffery Ross Cochran and his wife Jacqueline Griffiths Cochran of Fairfax, VA; and a daughter, Mary Anne Cochran Rocha of San Antonio, TX. She is also survived by ten grandchildren, Matthew and Scott Cochran of Lubbock, TX, Kathryn and Claire Cochran of San Antonio, TX, Jack Ryan, Joseph, and Jessica Cochran of Fairfax, VA, and Allegra Grace, William, and Keith Rocha of San Antonio, TX. The family is deeply grateful to Dr. Steven Kalter, Amedisys Hospice, and healthcare givers: Linda, Cynthia, Rose, and Kelly.