Mildred Mary Cockrell

Mildred Mary Cockrell, 87, 54-year resident of Oak Harbor, died May 6, 2004 at an adult care facility in Oak Harbor.

Mrs. Cockrell was born a twin in Hollister, Okla., June 17, 1916, to Burr G. and Luey Brittain. She was raised in Hollister, where she graduated from high school, and attended college in Oklahoma City. On Dec. 7, 1940, Mildred married Woodrow Cockrell in Glendale, Calif.

While he served in the Navy, the couple lived in Southern California, Rio de Janiero, Brazil, and Corpus Christi, Texas, before coming to Oak Harbor in 1950. Mildred lived in Frederick, Okla. for a time while her husband served overseas. She also lived briefly in Wichita Falls, Texas, where their twin daughters were born.

In 1956, Woodrow and Mildred built Oak Bowl, which they owned and operated for a number of years. Mildred was a member of First Baptist Church, Oak Harbor Garden Club, Bridge Club and North Whidbey Women’s Bowling Association. She also served as a Brownie leader. She enjoyed leather tooling, ceramics, and particularly arts and crafts. Following their retirement, they enjoyed RVing and spent time in Peoria, Ariz., snowbirding. Following her husband’s death she remained in Oak Harbor to be close to her children. Mildred was a very lively, vivacious woman who enjoyed dancing and music of all kinds. Mildred loved to joke around and just plain loved life.

Mildred is survived by her three children, Tom Cockrell and wife Kathy, Carolyn Brady, all of Oak Harbor and Marylyn Rae of Phoenix, Ariz.; six grandchildren, Crystal Crum and husband Vince of Madrid, Spain; Coreen Hartley and husband Roger of Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Lisa Loe and husband Michael of Phoenix, Ariz.; Karie Cockrell of Redondo Beach, Calif.; Paul Rae of Phoenix, Ariz.; and Marcy Cockrell of Issaquah; four great-grandchildren, Kyle, Tristan and Karlyn Crum and Kendalyn Loe. She was preceded in death by her husband, Woodrow Cockrell Sept. 22, 1985; three sisters, Mornion Whittler, Opha Brittain and Margaret Whitten (her twin) and by one brother, Oscar Brittain. She is also survived by her longtime caregiver, Pat Bayliss.

A funeral service will be held Thursday, May 13, 11 a.m., at First Baptist Church, Pastor Clint Webb officiating. Interment will be at Maple Leaf Cemetery followed by fellowship at the church. Memorials may be made to Cancer Research or Alzheimers Research. Arrangements under direction of Burley Funeral Chapel.