Emily Ellen Cochran, 78, of Vero Beach, passed away on Dec. 12, 2014, after a prolonged illness.
She is survived by her sons Corbet Cochran, Jr. and Richard V. Cochran (Mona) of Beaufort, S.C.; daughter Priscilla C. Searles (Gordon) of Vero Beach; brother Richard C. Hassell, Jr., of Vero Beach; sister Linda C. Bowles of Ila, Ga.; aunt Betty Dull of Lewisville, N.C.; many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and a great-great-grandchild.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Corbet Cochran, Sr.
She was born Dec. 27, 1935, in Lewisville, N.C., the daughter of Clay Walker and Charity Emeline Redding and later, step-daughter of Richard Hassell, Sr.
She married the late Corbet Cochran, Sr., on Dec. 27, 1954, in High Point, N.C. She was the wife of a career military man and lived life as such, constantly relocating. The Cochran’s bought their first home in Vero Beach in 1961 and permanently resided there after 1967 upon Corbet’s retirement from the military.
She volunteered for many positions, including President of the NCOS Wives Club, President of the Vero Beach High School Band Association, the Altar Guild, the choir, and the Stephen’s Ministry at the First United Methodist Church of Vero Beach. She was also very active in her Sunday school class until her illness prevented her from doing so.
She was also a Hairdresser for her late step-father at the Dixie Beauty Salon for many years, often cutting hair at the nursing home, gratis.
A gathering will be held at Strunk Funeral Home from 5 to 7 p.m., Monday, Dec. 15. The funeral proceeding will be 3 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 16, at the First United Methodist Church of Vero Beach. Interment will follow immediately thereafter. Memorial contributions may be made to Ronald McDonald House Charities 26345 Network Place, Chicago, IL 60673-1263. A guest book is available at www.strunkfuneralhome.com.