Effie E. Cochran

Effie Ellen (Shook) Cochran earned her Heavenly reward on November 23rd, 2024. She was born on June 9th, 1935, to William Harrison Shook and Berta Elizabeth Brown Shook. On June 1st, 1953 she married a handsome young airman, Richard Cochran. They were married for 66 years, and have 4 children. While the Air Force took them all over the country and the world, they would always return to San Angelo, TX.

Effie was preceded in death by parents, William and Berta Shook, her husband, Richard by 5 years and 1 day, her sisters, Wilene Gunn and husband Buddy, Juanelle Verfurth and husband Raymond, and beloved daughter-in-law Becky Cochran.

She is survived by her four children, Debbie Holland (Tony), Kenneth Cochran, Beth Shaw, and Rick Cochran (Susan), and cherished former daughter-in-law Kathy Cochran Fiscus. She was blessed with eight grandchildren, Cody Holland (Jessica), Dustin Holland (Natelle), Jason Shaw (Jasmine), Cory Cochran (Ashley), Tanner Cochran (Kaitlin), Amanda Cochran, Megan Gentry (Forrest), and Abigail Cochran. She also leaves eleven great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, extended family and a large and devoted church family.

She served her country at a time when her role as a military wife and mother was not recognized or supported by the military. She never questioned what was asked of her, she just did it. As a young, newly married military wife, she was a silent witness to the crash of Abbot 27, to which her husband Richard was deployed on the crash response crew. She would then persevere through Richard’s two tours of Vietnam, keeping her home fires burning with four children.

Effie raised her children with a tender loving hand, but she was also very candid and open about everything. They could talk to her about anything, the awkward, the bad, and the good. She never judged, she never scolded, she would just try to gently guide them in the right direction. She was always there for her children and grandchildren to guide, support, and encourage. Her door was always open to anyone in need, and she would always provide warmth and support. She was a master homemaker, and made it look easy. She was an excellent cook and has left everyone with wonderful memories of not only the large holiday meals and special treats, but also the simple, routine comfort food. Her superpower was peanut brittle. While she has left her recipe, it’s the art and skill that she had that can’t be replicated.

When her children were older, she launched her own career, working at McDonalds. She worked for 25 years, working her way up to Store Manager, and was one of the managers that opened the second McDonalds location, managing both stores. Her children always referred to the golden arches as “M for Mom.”

Effie was the most gracious and humble servant of the Lord. She was a living example of grace and faith and was a pillar of her church. She was one of the founding members of the Sonshine Quilters Club, providing beautiful hand-crafted quilts for new babies and family members of the church. She taught Sunday School and was a faithful servant in the church’s hospitality activities. Later in life when her husband Richard accepted the Lord, he followed her example and the two became an integral part of the church infrastructure. Effie was known as the Bread Lady and Richard was known as the Van Man. Their presence was a constant in the activities and outreach of the church.

She was a living example and role model in her devotion to God and country and she passed on her ethics and core values to her children, grandchildren, and extended family. Her calm and graceful presence touched and molded so many lives, far beyond what she was ever aware of. She was so much stronger than she ever gave herself credit for. She loved unconditionally. She also had a spicy sense of humor. When you least expected it, she would make a remark that would catch you off guard and turn your head.

Pallbearers are her grandsons, Cody Holland, Dustin Holland, Jason Shaw, Cory Cochran, Tanner Cochran, and Forrest Gentry.

In recognition of Effie’s service as a Veteran Surviving spouse, there are honorary pallbearers made up of Surviving Spouses and Military spouses. Her procession will be escorted by the Patriot Guard Riders.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Grace Temple Ministries Benevolence Fund.

Visitation will be Friday Nov 29th at Johnson’s Funeral Home from 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM. Service will be held Saturday, Nov 30th at 2:00 PM at Grace Temple. Interment will follow at Belvedere.