Mary S. Cochran

Mary Cochran, 85, of Creston, died Monday, Aug. 29, 2022, at Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines. A Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be held at 2 p.m.. Saturday, Sept. 3, at Crest Baptist Church, 1211 North Poplar Street, Creston. Services will be live streamed. Pastor Chuck Spindler will officiate. Burial will be in Graceland Cemetery at a later date. Family will receive friends from 1- 2 p.m. on Saturday at Crest Baptist Church prior to the service.

Online condolences can be given at www.powersfh.com.

Mary Sue Cochran was born July 26, 1937, the daughter of Jess Lee and Gussie Mildred (Smith) Lynch, in Lawton, Oklahoma. She graduated from Lawton High School in 1955.

On Dec. 24, 1955, Mary was united in marriage to Norman Eugene Cochran in Lawton. They settled in Lawton where she worked at Zale’s Jewelry. In 1960, they moved to Creston and became owner-operators of Cochran’s Nursing Home. She continued her education in nursing home administration.

Mary and Norman later divorced. Mary was the administrator for the Afton Care Center when it first opened for many years until she retired. In her retirement she continued working at Walmart as a cashier and later a greeter.

Mary loved spending time with her friends and family. Mary was a charter member of Crest Baptist Church.

Survivors include her four children: Norma (Greg) Tillery of Norman, Oklahoma, Steve Cochran of Slater, Karen ( Tom) Tharsbakken of Slater and Cheryl (Jerry) Bird of Oklahoma; 12 grandchildren: Lauren Tillery, Tyler Tillery, Mindy (Woody) Darland, Melissa (Jason) Rutherford, Matt Shackelford, Jesse (Jamie) Cochran, Trent (Lynn) Brownrigg, Kaylynne Brownrigg, Kylee Brownrigg, Tasha (Brent) Roach, Shandra Bird and Jamie Bird, 19 great-grandchildren and five great-great-grandchildren.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents, son Raymond Cochran in 2021 and brother James Lynch.