Zelma Lorene Cockrum, 80 years, 10 months, 17 days old, passed away on March 13, 2023 at Cox South Medical Center in Springfield, MO with her family by her side.
Zelma was born April 27, 1942 in Ava, MO to Russell Burl and Florence Lorene (Rowe) Miller.
Zelma was raised in Douglas County and also raised as a Christian. On March 4, 1965 Zelma and Nuel Francis Cockrum were united in marriage in Ozark County, MO and together were blessed with three daughters.
She was retired from working at Rawlings and Spaldings in Ava and also at Baxter Lab in Mtn. Home, AR. She enjoyed painting, creating ceramics and porcelain dolls. Zelma loved cooking, especially her chicken and dumplings. She was known for raising all kinds of farm animals and loved to garden. Zelma’s life was taking care of her husband, Nuel, and her children and all of her grand, great grand and great great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents; step mother, Ruby Miller; infant sister, Reva Louise; two brothers, “Deanie” Rowe and Burl Miller; her daughter, Barbara Cockrum and her husband, Nuel.
Zelma is survived by her daughters and their spouses, Sherry & Bud Hayes and Sharolette & Scott Pendergrass; six grandchildren, Jonathan, Matt, Jackie, Allison, Ashley and James; many great grandchildren; several great great grandchildren; sisters, Lena Mae Hutchison and Jeannie Pierce; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and a longtime special friend, Tammy Smith.
Funeral services for Zelma will be Friday, March 17, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. in the Clinkingbeard Chapel, Ava, MO with burial following in the Smith Chapel Cemetery, Gainesville, MO. Visitation will be Friday at 1:00 p.m. prior to the service. Officiating will be Pastor Stan Collins. Memorials may be made to Smith Chapel Cemetery.
