Eva Watson Cockrum
Eva Watson Cockrum
Graveside services for Eva Watson Cockrum, 94, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 2:00 p.m., Thursday, June 3, 2021 at Oak Lawn Cemetery, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
Mrs. Cockrum passed away at 7:03 a.m., Monday, May 31, 2021, at her home.
She was born February 8, 1927, at Fanchion, Missouri, to Rufus and Edna Smith Combs. Eva graduated from Thomasville High School with the Class of 1944; she then attended Southwest Missouri State Teacher’s College and Drury College in Springfield, Missouri, graduating from Drury College. Mrs. Cockrum taught for 33 years in the schools of Oregon and Howell Counties with 22 of those years in the West Plains R-7 District. Fifth grade was her favorite. She was a member of the National, State and Local Retired Teacher’s Associations. Mrs. Cockrum was of the Baptist Faith. On December 29, 1948, she was married at Peace Valley, Missouri, to Le Roy Watson, who preceded her in death on December 5, 1969. On June 23, 1972, she was married at West Plains to Charley Cockrum.
She is survived by her husband, Charley Cockrum, of the family home; one son, Charles A. Watson and wife, Vicki, West Plains; two granddaughters, Amber Cook, Portland, Oregon, and Lawren Dupler, Moody, Missouri; two great-grandchildren, Dru and Marlee Dupler; two step-children, Dwayne Cockrum and family, Chickasha, Oklahoma and Barbara Mitchusson and family, Bradley, Oklahoma; and her son-in-law, Ed Alley and family, Bradinton, Florida.
Her parents, first husband, one daughter, Dianna Carolyn Watson and one brother, Vernon Lee Combs, preceded her in death.
Visitation will be held from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m., Wednesday, at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be made to American Cancer Society and may be left at or mailed to Robertson-Drago Funeral Home, 211 West Main, West Plains, MO 65775.
Jennie Mangrum
June 2, 2021 @ 9:41 am
One sweet lady inside and out.I feel my life on this earth was very blessed to have had her as a friend.Charley I pray for comfort and piece for you in the days to come,She was blessed to have a son that loved her and took great care of her till the Lord called her home..
Shelley Surface
June 2, 2021 @ 12:23 pm
I remember Mrs. Cockrum from going to school here in West Plains. She was such a sweet lady, and had a very pleasant smile. Thinking of the family during this time.
Kathy Hollingshad
June 2, 2021 @ 12:54 pm
A very dear lady who played a big part in my life art in my life she was my 5th grade teacher Richard school and unfortunately she got the honour of telling us all that president Kennedy had been shot and had passed I’ll never forget that day Nor will I forget miss Watson as we knew her. Our greatest sympathies and prayers to her husband and Charlie and all the grandkids
Amber(Cozort)Redburn
June 2, 2021 @ 4:27 pm
Mr. Charley Cockrum and Families,
We want to extend our deepest sympathy to all of you on the passing of Eva. I didn’t have her as teacher but I knew her when I was at Central. My Father, Norris Cozort, was a fellow colleague of hers in R-7. She had a sweet caring personality and a smile for all of us daily. During this difficult time may God comfort, encourage, strengthen, and give each of you peace. All of you will be in our daily prayers. May God bless all of you.
In Christian Love,
Norris/Ivene Cozort
Amber(Cozort)Redburn
Jill (Cozort) Brooks
June 2, 2021 @ 5:02 pm
I adored Mrs. Cockrum when I had her for 5th grade home room at Central. She is one of those educators who stands out in my memory because of the way she treated us, like we were her kids. Prayers of comfort for her family. She was a blessing to me.
Mike and Diana Pace
June 3, 2021 @ 10:20 am
Eva was a sweet friend and neighbor. We extend our deepest sympathy to the family.
judy McWilliams
June 4, 2021 @ 2:41 pm
Charley, thinking and praying you and your family at this time. Our family thought a lot of Eva.