« Return to Obituaries | Print
Celebration of Life Ceremony: 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 4, 2020, at Christ's Church of Flora
Memorial Visitation: 4 until 6 p.m. Wednesday at Christ's Church of Flora
Wanda Lou (Thomason) Cochran, age 81, of Louisville, Illinois, passed away peacefully at home on Sunday morning, March 1, 2020.
She was born January 3, 1939, in Keenes, the daughter of Noel Wood and Zoe Bethel (McQueen) Thomason. She was united in marriage to Cecil Eugene Cochran on June 4, 1958, at the Wayne City Christian Church, and they have been blessed in celebrating 61 wedding anniversaries together.
Throughout her life, Lou was a dedicated educator, supportive in the Christian ministries that she and Cecil took part in, and loved opportunities to participate in music and singing. She shared her gift for music through church choirs, evangelistic meetings, and cantatas, and directed a youth choir called “Light Shine” in Clay City that performed throughout the area. During her involvement with Red Brush Christian Church, she formed a food pantry. She was a member of Christ’s Church, attending in both Flora and Effingham. As a teacher, she is remembered for planning out of the ordinary learning experiences for her students. She was a member of the Illinois Education Association. Lou retired from the classroom following her position in the 4th grade at Noble. After retirement, she embraced her life as a loving “farmer’s wife,” mom, and grandma, who enjoyed being with her family as well as taking many trips with Cecil on their Harley-Davidson Trike, including one especially memorable journey to Kittery, Maine, that took them through the streets of Boston and New York City.
Lou is survived by her husband: Cecil Cochran of Louisville; 2 daughters: Tammy Lou Gentry of Louisville and Ronda Genë Cochran of Effingham; 4 grandchildren: Tara Jené Ratcliff, Nathaniel Tad Ratcliff (Rachel Lindle), and Ronald Edward Gentry III, all of Lexington, Kentucky, and Susan Alexandra (Ryan) Brown of Virginia Beach, Virginia; 2 great-grandchildren: Paxton Ray Brown and Kingston Crawford Brown; a brother: Noel Wood (Gwen) Thomason of Keenes; a sister: Vickie Lynn (Gene) Porter of Wayne City; and a close cherished friend: Nicola Wattles of Louisville. She was preceded in death by her parents; a beloved son: Charles Wood Chad Cochran; and a sister: Donna Kay Crocker.
A ceremony Celebrating the Life of Wanda Lou Cochran will begin at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 4, 2020, at Christ’s Church in Flora. A memorial visitation will be from 4 until 6 p.m. at the church. It was Lou’s wish that the preferred form of remembrance in lieu of flowers or gifts would be for memorial contributions to be made to the Clay County Cancer Support Group. Arrangements are in the care of Frank & Bright Funeral Home in Flora. To share a memory or condolence, visit www.frankandbright.com
Jul 21, 1931 - Nov 18, 2024
Nov 15, 1940 - Nov 9, 2024
Sep 5, 1961 - Oct 31, 2024
Nov 14, 1941 - Oct 30, 2024
Jun 12, 1929 - Oct 7, 2024
Keeping your family in our thoughts and prayers. May the Good Lord wrap his loving arms around you and comfort you during the difficult times ahead.
With deepest sympathy , may God wrap his loving arms around all of your family during this time of loss and sorrow. Lou was a special lady and dear to our hearts. She will be missed by many. Hugs and love to all.
Such a nice and beautiful lady. Always a smile. Prayers for the family
May Gods peace and his comfort be with you during this difficult time. You will continue to be in our prayers!
Cecil, Tammy, and Rhonda. I'm so sorry for your loss. I remember that beautiful smile she always had. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you at this time. God gained a beautiful angel today. May you find peace and comfort through this time of sorrow.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you.May God give you and your family peace and comfort.
At a time when words are hard to fine ... may the God of comfort bring you the peace that passes all understanding and the assurance of His loving presence during this time. With heartfelt prayers and sympathy.
I am so sorry for your loss. I have such fond memories of Lou and our time at North Harter together. She will be missed.
Rest In Peace Lou Condolences to Cecil, Tammy, Ronda and all of Lou’s family and friends ❤️
Lou & Family, Sorry To Hear Of Your Loss. Prayers 🙏🏼 Coming Your Way From Texas!
Prayers for your family neighbor. Lived a lot of my life within a block of you. Seems like a lifetime ago.
Cecil & Family, So sorry for your loss. Thank God for the blessing of knowing we will see her again. . Love & Prayers.
My heart felt condolences to Cecil on the passing away of his wife Lou. She is now face to face with the Lord basking in the light of His glory. One day we will meet again in heaven.
Very sorry for your loss.
Our thoughts and prayers are with all of the family.
Thoughts, prayers n COMFORT to you all.
Sorry for your loss. She was beautiful inside and out! She made the world a better place!
Dear Cecil, Rhonda, Tammy, and family, We are so sad to hear of Lou’s passing. She was a wonderful person and had a beautiful singing voice. We enjoyed many years of fellowship at North Harter when Cecil was minister. We’ll keep you in our prayers. Love, Jean and Stacey
I am so very sorry for her passing. What a pleasant woman. She always had a kind word and those who had the good fortune to know her were extremely blessed.
Cecil & Family: Our hearts & prayers are with you all, Lou was a very special lady, loving her Lord in song & action.
Lou will be greatly missed. . Our prayers and love to the Cochran family Con and marilyn Idleman.
Had the pleasure of living across the street from this beautiful lady for many years .Got to watch her children grow up .Got to hear them grow up . She was as beautiful inside as she was outside .She will be truly missed .We are sending hugs & prayers to the family . Fly high pretty lady !
Sorry for your loss I remember the whole family at North Harter I know she will be missed so many prayers for all
Cecil, Tammy, and Ronda; My prayers are with you all. The one thing that always came to mind when I thought of your wife/mom was Lou's sharp wit and her smile. She lives on in all of you. Chad and her are now you guys guardian angels.
Our thoughts & prayers are with the family.
So very sorry for your loss! Praying for God’s comfort at this difficult time.
I am so sorry for your loss 🙏
My heart and prayers are with you, Cecil and the family. Lou was such a lovely friend to Nicola and to me. She is in heaven, happy in the presence of our Lord.
Dear Cecil, Tammy, Ronda, and family - our hearts are so saddened with you that Lou is no longer here with us, and we rejoice in the healing and peace she now knows. Her light shown as a blessing in my life for as long as I can recall, and Heaven is brighter and more full of song with her in it. We pray for strength and peace in each day ahead. May we follow her example and continue on, enthusiastically shining The Lord's light in the world.
We are so very sorry for your loss and know Lou will be missed by all. We are sending prayers and condolences for the family.
I worked with Lou at West Richland Elementary School. I remember her as a strong, Christian woman. You have my prayers for comfort and peace during this time.
My deepest sympathies to you, Cecil and the family. Praying God's peace will bring comfort to you. Lou lives on in our thoughts and hearts, till we meet in heaven.
There are no words at a time like this, Ronda. Just know that the love of God and your family will be a source of support and strength for all of you in the coming days.
Cecil, Tammy, Ronda and family, please know you are all in my thoughts and prayers. I will always remember meeting Lou for the first time as she was a strikingly beautiful person with an equally heavenly voice.
Frank & Bright Funeral Home
and Cremation Services
500 North Main Street
Flora, Illinois 62839
Phone : (618) 662-2141
Fax: (618) 662-4600
Email: [email protected]
