Odene Byerly Cockrell passed away peacefully on April 11, 2017 at the age of 92. Her family is thankful for the love, selflessness, legacy of faith, and unwavering support she gave throughout her life. Her laughter and smiles will be missed by many.

Odene was born to Perry and Sallie Byerly on December 12^th 1924 in Jasper, Texas. She graduated from Jasper High School in 1941 and moved to Orange, Texas where she worked at American Bridge and then the Post Office. While in Orange, she met and married Tom B. Cockrell (from Joaquin, Texas) in 1945. At that time, she became the mother of his three children: Tommy, Fletcher, and Robbie. She dearly loved them and they loved her also. Tom and Odene owned Cockrell’s Barber Shop in downtown Orange where Tom worked and their sons learned to shine shoes. Odene worked at J.C. Penney Company for 33 years as an Office Manager. The Cockrells were active members of First Baptist Church in Orange. Tom passed away in 1990 and in 1997 Odene moved back to Jasper to help care for her mother, Sallie Self, and be nearer to her relatives. Odene joined Hillcrest Baptist Church in Jasper, Texas and enjoyed visiting with her sweet sisters and playing cards with her dear friends.

Odene is preceded in death by her parents, Sallie and Perry Byerly, brother Hilliard Byerly and his wife Nelda, sister Ruby Ruth Fulmer and her husband Bob, son in law Richard Crump, grandson Brian Colby, and brother in law Robert Coker. Odene is survived by her children: Tommy Cockrell and wife Dixie of Round Rock, Texas, Fletcher Cockrell and wife Linda of Hot Springs, Arkansas, daughter Robbie Crump of Houston, six grandchildren, 13 great grandchildren, and six great great grandchildren. She is also survived by her sister and brother in law Evelyn and Bill Walker and sister Mable Coker who reside in Jasper, Texas and have been a source of happiness since childhood for Odene. Her family would like to thank Rayburn Healthcare and Affinity Hospice for the outstanding care they offered Odene in her final days.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, April 18^th at 8:30am at Hillcrest Baptist Church in Jasper, Texas and the funeral service will begin at 10:00am. A family graveside service will be held at 2pm at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Orange, Texas. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Hillcrest Baptist Church, 3196 US Highway 190 W, Jasper, Texas 75951 or Affinity Hospice, 837 S. Wheeler St, Jasper, Texas 75951.

Services are under the direction of Stringer & Griffin Funeral Home of Jasper.