Barbara Nell Cockerell

Services for Barbara Nell Cockerell, 80, of Gresham will be held on Saturday, July 16, 2022 at 10:30 a.m. at Stewart Family Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Larry Neeley officiating. Burial will follow at Tyler Memorial Park in Tyler under the direction of Stewart Family Funeral Home. Mrs. Cockerell passed away Tuesday, July 12, 2022 in Trophy Club. She was born July 25, 1941 in Tyler to Robert Lynn and Ruby Beddingfield Neeley. Barbara was a resident of the community of Gresham for over 75 years and for much of that time was a faithful member of the First Baptist Church of Gresham, where she sang in the choir for most of her adult life. She loved the Lord and served at her church in many capacities including on the Fellowship Committee, as a Sunday School teacher of both children and adults, on the Christmas decorating committee with her dear friends Hubert and Nancy Sherell and Mike and Janice Rowe among others, also teaching at Vacation Bible School, serving on the church Budget Committee numerous times, on the Building Committee, and most recently on the Pastor Search Committee for the church. Barbara was a member of the first graduating class at Robert E. Lee High School and also graduated from Tyler Commercial College. Her professional career was spent in various accounting and insurance positions and most recently working at a local funeral home. In addition to her faith, family was an especially important part of Barbara’s life. In 1972, she met and subsequently married the love of her life, Jimmy Cockerell. Jim brought much joy to her life until his death in June 2002 shortly after he received a heart transplant. He was a great friend to many and was a constant joy to his nieces, nephews, brother-in-law and sisters-in-law. Barbara continued to grieve his passing for many years after his death. Barbara was a consistent organizer of family reunions, serving for many years with her cousin Floyd Sanders as principal organizers of the annual Beddingfield family reunion. In a matter about which she was often teased by her brother and sisters, she loved to go places and be involved in many activities outside the home. She loved being a part of the Bullard Order of the Eastern Star, where she served in many officer capacities during her adult life. She was active in the Insurance Women’s Association in Tyler. Also, she often visited with folks who were no longer able to be active outside their homes due to illness and aging. In addition, she enthusiastically canned fresh fruits and vegetables each summer from gardens and farmer’s markets which were enjoyed by many. Barbara was preceded in death by her mother, Ruby Beddingfield Neeley, her father, Robert Lynn Neeley, and her husband, Jimmy G. Cockerell. She is survived by her loving family including her sisters, Martha Harwood of Bowling Green, KY and Gatha Dodson and husband Roy of Whitehouse; brother, Freddie Neeley and wife Pat of Trophy Club; nieces, Rene Neeley, Rochelle Neeley, and Jennifer Gutierrez; and nephews, Adam Dodson, Stan Harwood, Glen Harwood, and Christopher Neeley. Pallbearers will be Adam Dodson, Stan Harwood, Chris Neeley, Bryson Byrd, Seth Moore, Hunter Gutierrez, Glen Harwood, and Alex Neeley. Honorary pallbearers will be Hubert Sherrell, Duane Walker, and Mike Rowe. Memorial contributions may be made to the First Baptist Church of Gresham, 16844 CR 165, Tyler, TX 75703 or the charity of one’s choice.

Barbara Nell Cockerell

July 25, 1941 - July 12, 2022