J.L. Cockerham

Last rites for J.L. Cockerham, 67, who passed away at his home in the Pluto community Friday, Feb 23, at 10:15 PM, were conducted from the Central Baptist Church in Itasca Sunday afternoon at 2 o'clock.

Rev. Billy Sewell, pastor, and Rev. Athol D. Cloud, pastor of First Presbyterian Church here, were the officiating ministers.

John Lee Cockerham was a native of Winnfield, Louisiana. He was born Aug. 14, 1894, the son of J.H. and Viola Camp Cockerham.

Mr. Cockerham came to Texas in 1909 and had been engaged in farming and ranching in this area of Hill and Ellis Counties since 1923. He was well known and a member of a large and prominent family in this section.

He was married to Miss Ludie Jan Pattman in 1916.

Mr. Cockerham was a long-time member of the Baptist Church, having joined the church as a youth at the age of 15. He was a member of the Central Baptist Church of Itasca at the time of his passing.

Ill for a number of weeks prior to his death Mr. Cockerham had recently returned to his home following five weeks hospitalization in Hillsboro.

Interment was in the Itasca Cemetery under direction of Hollingworth and Marshall Funeral Home.

Pallbearers were Otis England, Leonard Gardner, Frank Davis, Ralph Bailey and Sims Hooper of Itasca, and Claude Mills of Hillsboro.

Survivors include his wife; one daughter, Mrs. M.D. Grantham of Austin; five sons, J. T. Cockerham and Truman Cockerham of Fort Worth; Ardrus Cockerham, Leon Cockerham and Herman Cockerham of Itasca.

Among other survivors are his mother Mrs. J. Henry Cockerham of Waxahachie; one sister, Mrs. Everett Upchurch of Waxahachie; six brothers, Joe Cockerham of Milford, Dewey Cockerham of Avalon; Lawson Cockerham and Wallace Cockerham of Red Oak; Odis Cockerham of Lancaster and Boaz Cockerham of Waxahachie.

Also surviving are 14 grandchildren.