Emily McClendon Cockrill
September 23, 1935 – February 23, 2012

Emily McClendon Cockrill, 76, of Wynne, AR. passed away Thursday, February 23, 2012 at Cross Ridge Community Hospital in Wynne.

There will be a family graveside service Saturday, February 25, 2012 at 10:00 A.M. at Crittenden Memorial Park in Marion, AR. We will celebrate the life of Emily Cockrill with a Celebration Service at 2:00 P.M. at First United Methodist Church of Wynne on Sunday, February 26, 2012.

Mrs. Cockrill was the wife of the late Albert Haden Cockrill, Sr. of Wynne and the daughter of the late William (Tibby) and Susie Rainey of Turrell, AR. She graduated from Turrell High School in 1953 and attended Memphis State College.

Emily Cockrill was a member of First United Methodist Church in Wynne for 46 years and was employed as the Program Director there for 32 years serving some eight different ministers. She was involved in all facets of the church but her passion was working with children and youth. She relished in seeing young people grow up in the church then return to say” Hi, Miss Emily”, it’s sure good to see you again. Emily was also very involved in the local PEO, Chapter AY serving as its President from 1985-1987.

Emily served in various capacities on the conference level of the Methodist Church where she became the first female Lay Leader of the North Arkansas Conference and also served as the Chair of the Conference Council of Ministries.

Mrs. Cockrill is survived by one daughter, Cindy Cockrill of Lakeland, TN; a son and daughter-in-law, Al and Stephanie Cockrill of Jonesboro, AR; one brother and spouse Pal and Patty Rainey of Marion, AR and two grandchildren Pharis and Allen Cockrill of Jonesboro, AR.

The family requests that any memorials be sent to the First United Methodist Church Building Fund in Wynne, AR. or the Alzheimer’s Association. The family would like to say a special thank you to the Crestpark Nursing Home Staff, Cross Ridge Hospital Staff, Reverend Glenn Pettus and Reverend Herschel McClurkin, organist Tom Miley and the men and women of Wynne First United Methodist Church.