Barbara Miles Cockrell

Services for Barbara Miles Lazalier Cockrell, 87, of Lufkin, will be held at 2:00 p.m. Sunday, August 20, 2017 at First United Methodist Church in Corrigan, with Pastor Lesly Wilkinson officiating. Interment will follow at Union Springs Cemetery in Corrigan.

Barbara passed from this life in Frisco, Texas, on Saturday, August 12, 2017. She is preceded in death by her parents, Guy Miles Lazalier and Marie Louise Wilder Lazalier Pullen, and by her sisters Mary Cockrell and Bettie Brownhill.

Barbara is survived by her devoted husband of 66 years, Allen Wesley (A.W.) Cockrell, Jr.; brothers Mike Pullen of Livingston, and Bill Pullen and wife Wilma of Houston; children Beth Cordell of Rocklin, California, Cathy Cockrell and husband David Hanover of Tyler, Jody Cockrell and husband Kirt Rasmussen of Houston, Janie Brittain and husband Kim of Garland; grandchildren Claire Cordell of Rocklin, California, Kevin Cordell of Hermiston, Oregon, Wes Hanover and wife Kristin of Double Oak, Sam Hanover of Indianapolis, Indiana, Allen Brittain and wife Lindsay of Flower Mound, Joe Brittain and wife Shelbii of Plano; five great-grandchildren, Jackson and Scarlett Henkhaus, Riley Cordell, and Bennett and Hudson Hanover; and a number of close relatives and friends.

Barbara was born in Houston, Texas, on July 24, 1930. Her family moved to Corrigan when Barbara was three years old. She attended Corrigan schools and excelled in all subjects. She took piano lessons throughout her school years, and performed as a singer and pianist with various musical groups, teaching herself to play in “boogie woogie” style. Barbara was drum major of the band and voted most popular in her class. She graduated from high school in 1947 at the age of 16 and attended Sam Houston State University as a music major. She returned to Corrigan to work as an office assistant for Edens-Birch Lumber Company and on May 19, 1951, Barbara married A.W. The couple moved to San Augustine, where their four daughters were born and where A.W. pursued a career with the Texas Highway Department. A.W. was transferred to Crockett where the family lived for a year before moving to Lufkin. Barbara stayed very busy supporting her daughters’ many school activities, sewing all their clothes (and their Barbies’ clothes), and volunteering at the Methodist Church. She was also involved in the Parent Teacher Association, and was a Brownie Girl Scout leader, as well as being active in politics.

Barbara decided to re-enter the workforce after her children graduated from high school. She completed several business courses at Angelina College and secured a job as church secretary at the First United Methodist Church of Lufkin, working there almost ten years. After she retired, Barbara did some traveling. She also enjoyed gardening, sewing, playing Solitaire, reading, crossword puzzles, and visiting with family and friends. She continued to play piano for many years and loved listening to Big Band and many other styles of music. Barbara’s musical talent, intelligence, humor, strong opinions, and incredible strength will be missed by all who knew her.

Pallbearers will be David Hanover, Kim Brittain, Kirt Rasmussen, Kevin Cordell, Wes Hanover, Sam Hanover, Allen Brittain, and Joe Brittain.

Honorary Pallbearers will be Robert Cockrell, Mike Pullen, and Bill Pullen.

The family would like to thank the at-home caregivers from Pinecrest in Lufkin and the caregivers and nurses who cared for Barbara in Plano and Frisco.

Condolences to the family may be offered online at www.gipsonfuneralhome.com.

Services have been placed in the trust of Gipson Funeral Home.