of Benton, AR

July 23, 1927 - January 19, 2016

Wilodene Reece Cockman, of Benton, passed away Tuesday, January 19, 2016. She was born Ann Wilodene Reece in the Sunshine Community outside Hot Springs on July 23, 1927 to the late Frank and Dora Reece. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by one brother, Jessie ''J.C.'' Reece, and three sisters, Minnie Smith, Una Orrell, and Lois Muse.

She was a late-in-life baby, her brother and sisters being almost grown, so she was raised and loved by her whole family. For most in the community at that time, school ended at 8th grade, but her family believed in education, so she went to live with her sister, Minnie Smith to complete her high school diploma at Hot Springs High School

After graduation Wilodene went to work for Mountain Valley Water Co. There she met her future husband, Rayburn Cockman. Rayburn had just gotten out of the Army and Wilodene was told to contact him about a job that was opening up with the company. As luck would have it, they were the only two single people with company, so the match maker went to work. Eventually they married and moved to Benton where they had two daughters, Tamara and Phyllis.

After the children were in school Wilodene went to Business College to brush up her skills before seeking employment. She was top in her class and was offered a job at the Pentagon. She declined that job, because home and family and Arkansas was the most important to her. She accepted employment with the State Department of Education first working with Home Education. She was instrumental in putting on FHA convention for several years. She then moved to Vocational Education in Trade and Industrial and finally to be an Administrative Assistant to the Deputy Director of the 24 Vocational Technical Schools in Arkansas after 20 years she retired and she and Rayburn traveled and enjoyed their grandchildren.

Wilodene was very active in her church, Calvary Baptist, where she was a member for over 60 years, as well as volunteering in PTA and BPW. She was a top notch homemaker and a wonderful cook. She was a much loved and admired by her family and was truly the heart of their home. She took the time to get to know everyone she met and was known for sending sweet cards, buying the most thoughtful gifts, and praying for those she loved and her church.

This special woman is survived by her husband, Rayburn Cockman, two daughters and son-in-laws, Tamara and Hal Lammey of Benton and Phyllis and Vernon Brooks of Royal; five grandchildren, Adrianne and Parker Brooks, Julia Sexton, Shaun Lammey, Kevin and Kim Lammey; five great-grandchildren, Preston and McKinley Sexton, Jackson Lammey, and Ava, and Madelyn Lammey; sisters in law, Patricia Cockman, Margaret and Elbert Ragsdale; many nieces and nephews; special caregivers, Donna Grissom, Shay Blankenship, and Karli Bieker. She is also survived by three precious caregivers, Donna Grissom, Shay Blankenship, and Karli Bieker.

Funeral services are scheduled for 1:00 p.m. Saturday, January 23, 2016 at Calvary Baptist Church in Benton with Bro. Frank Thurman officiating. Interment will follow in Forest Hills Memorial Park in Alexander, AR.

Visitation is from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Friday, January 22, 2016 at Calvary Baptist Church under the direction of Roller-Ballard Funeral Home in Benton (501-315-4047).

Pallbearers are grandsons, Parker Brooks, Shawn Lammey, and Kevin Lammey and nephews, Andy Russell, Ben Williams, and Tyler Ryals. Honorary pallbearers are the former staff and directors of the Arkansas Vocational Technical Department and vo-tech schools.

Memorials may be given to Calvary Baptist Church or Gideons International.

Online guestbook www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/ballard

Sign Guestbook

11 Condolence(s)