Gloria Barr Cochran

COLUMBIA - Born in Martins Ferry, Ohio, in 1923, Gloria was a graduate of Martins Ferry High School, and the Elliott School of Business. She was employed by the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers for 27 years. Her first assignment during WWII, was with the war department in Washington, D.C. After WWII, she was assigned to the Army Corps offices overseas in Athens, Greece, Paris, France, and Ankara, Turkey. She and her first husband, William F. Cummins had a daughter Gloria, and lived in Tangier, Morocco, The Philippines, Okinawa and Beirut, Lebanon where Bill worked on the construction of Voice of America Radio Stations. While in Lebanon, Gloria was widowed and returned to Washington, D.C., where she was stationed between overseas assignments. It was there she met her second husband, Colonel Albert Cochran. They both retired to Columbia, South Carolina and were members of Trenholm Road United Methodist Church, Ft. Jackson Officers’ Club and Capital City Club. Gloria was also a past president of the Cape Jasmine Garden Club and loved arranging her flowers. During this time, she earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Education from the University of South Carolina and went on to join the Peace Corps and served in the Dominican Republic. Later, she continued taking trips overseas. She enjoyed visiting her close friends in Denmark, Greece, and Turkey. Other adventures included travels to Europe, Mexico, Caribbean Islands, Hawaii, New Zealand, Fiji, Scotland, Alaska, and the Pacific NW. At home, Gloria loved decorating her home, playing with her cats and dogs, attending USC Associates meetings and participating in Robert Burns Society functions. In addition, she was crazy about football and in 25 years, never missed a USC Gamecocks home game. She was also a big fan of the USC School of Music Concert Choir and loved going to their performances. Always stylishly dressed, she loved swing dancing whenever the occasion presented itself. Gloria also loved Greek food and her many afternoons dining with her Devine Foods friends. She was a strong, intelligent, independent, personable, outgoing woman who was ahead of her time and full of energy. Her light burned brightly while here on earth. And those who knew her, enjoyed laughing with her through her life’s experiences. She will be deeply missed by the family she leaves behind, but gladly embraced by those she encounters while travelling on her next adventure. Gloria’s family would like to thank all those who assisted with her care and well-being over the years. Sometimes it takes a village to care for someone and her village included: Trenholm Road United Methodist Church Volunteers; GeriAdvocates Geriatric Care Mgmt.; The Neal Firm; Home Instead; Right at Home; Still Hopes Episcopal Retirement Community, and Solutions for Living. Also, praise and thanks to friends and acquaintances for all of your phone calls, cards, visits, gifts, and overwhelming family support. God bless you all! A Service of Love and Remembrance celebrating Gloria’s life will be held at The Chapel of the Holy Spirit, Still Hopes Episcopal Retirement Community in West Columbia, SC on Sunday, February 21, 2016 at 3:00 p.m. with a reception afterward. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Humane Society, 121 Humane Lane, Columbia, SC 29209; American Cancer Association, 128 Stonemark Lane, Columbia, SC 29210; USC School of Music, 813 Assembly Street, Columbia, SC 29208; or Alzheimer’s Association, 2999 Sunset Blvd., Suite 102, West Columbia, SC 29169.