Jerry Cockrell, Sr.

Jerry Wayne Cockrell, Sr. traveled to his new home with his heavenly Father September 28,2025. Jerry was born in Dyess Colony, Arkansas, September 5, 1941, to Zella Coggins Cockrell and Leonard Marion Cockrell. He attended public schools in Blytheville, but left school at 14 to see the world. He hitchhiked to Chicago where he worked for two years before returning to Blytheville and completing his junior and senior years simultaneously, graduating in 1961. 

Following graduation, he worked in the fabric business becoming an expert drapery and cornice installer, doing much of his work for the U.S. government and military officers at the Blytheville Air Force Base. He began his career with the U.S. Postal Service in Blytheville in 1962, and on the first day of employment he wrecked a mail truck. Avoiding getting fired for that, he completed 32 years of service, holding many union positions at the local and district levels, earning many awards for outstanding service, being promoted into management roles, and retiring as Post Master of the Heber Springs Post Office in 1992. In retirement, Jerry enjoyed a slower paced life riding horses, fishing and wood working. 

Jerry has been a follower of Christ since childhood and was a member of Heber Springs General Baptist Church where he was a long-time Sunday School teacher and held numerous positions of leadership. In 2000 he joined Renew Church and has been a Sunday School teacher there, and established the Seekers Sunday School Class. He was also a long-time member of Gideons International. 

Jerry is predeceased by his parents, his brother Bill Cockrell and sister, Jane Estes. He is survived by his wife, Rebecca Robertson Cockrell; sons, Jerry Wayne Cockrell, Jr. (Kathy) and Christopher Nahoum Cockrell; daughter, Lori Beth Lacy (David); four grandchildren, Cheryl Polk, Buck Lacy, Jason Cockrell, and Savannah Kee; nine great-grandchildren; sisters, Bettye Franks, Carolyn Hemphill, Linda Baird, and Joyce Glenn (Danny); and Franke Johns, the mother of his children. 

Serving as pall bearers will be John Hendricks, Cody Kee, David Lacy, Ed Lacy, Greg Mix, and John Robertson A reception and visitation will take place at 1:00 p.m. Thursday, October 2, followed by the service at 2:00 p.m. at Renew Church of Heber Springs. Burial will follow at Cleburne County Memorial Gardens.