Doris Joan Cockman

She was born July 17, 1927 in Conesville, Ohio, the first of four children to the late Lawrence Raymond Evans and Doris Vickers Evans. From early childhood she was called by her middle name, Joan.

Joan graduated from Conesville, Ohio High School. Afterwards, she entered Marion College (now Indiana Wesleyan University), where she received the Bachelor of Science degree in 1950. Later, she was employed as a high school teacher in Ohio.

December 24, 1951 Joan married Elijah Cockman of Mount Airy, NC. After he completed service in the United States Army during the Korean War, they moved to Kentucky, where he began studies at Asbury Theological Seminary. Following graduation in 1956, he was commissioned as a Chaplain in the United States Army.

Joan was a dedicated wife to her husband, her children and to her god. She was an active participant in the Military Chapel and Civilian church Ministries, especially in the areas of worship, Sunday school, choir and various other church related programs.

She is survived by her husband of 65 years, the Reverend, Elijah Cockman; son, Wesley Cockman and wife Elizabeth; daughter, Leslie Merrill and husband Jay; four grandchildren, Michael and wife Molly, Caroline Marie, Wesley Charles and Samuel; one great-grandson, Nolan Merrill; sister, Agatha Murphy and husband Ray; brother, Malcolm Evans and wife Nadine and sister-in-law, Eileen Evans.

Following her husband’s retirement from the pastorial ministry in the United Methodist Church in 1994, Joan and her husband moved to Hendersonville, NC. They attended First United Methodist Church in Hendersonville.

A funeral service will be held at 2:00 PM, Monday, December 4, 2017 at Hopewell United Methodist Church, Sherrills Ford, NC with the Reverend John Bryant officiating. The family will receive friends in The Family Life Center of Hopewell United Methodist Church from 1-2pm preceded in the service. Joan will be laid to rest in the church cemetery near the burial sites of one of the church’s former pastorial families: the Reverend and Mrs. William Curtis Cockman.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the children’s ministry First United Methodist Church, 204 6th Ave West Hendersonville, NC 28739 or to Hopewell United Methodist Church, 2211 Hopewell Church Road, Sherrills Ford, NC 28673.

Bunch-Johnson Funeral Home in Statesville, NC is assisting the family with arrangements.