Eunice V. Cockrell

Eunice Vernell Cockrell, 95, had a joyous reunion with her beloved husband Al on October 12, 2018.

Eunice was born January 27, 1923 in Cuero, Texas, the youngest child of Arthur Crockett Thigpen and Leonora Gerhold Thigpen. Born premature, she slept in a shoe box in her parents’ top dresser drawer. It didn’t take long for that spunky little spitfire to graduate to climbing trees and keeping everyone on their toes. She graduated from Breckenridge High School in San Antonio in 1941. In 1942, she met the love of her life, Alford Ridley Cockrell, and they were married October 17, 1942. The next, day he was shipped out to the Pacific and was gone for three years. During the war, she worked as a code breaker in San Antonio. Al returned home in December of 1945, and they began their life together.

They had two beautiful daughters, Susan and Mary that were their pride and joy. Al worshipped his “little girlfriend” and treated her like a queen every day. After a 29-year career of service in the U.S. Air Force, they retired to Amarillo, Texas in 1969. Through three wars, two continents, numerous moves, and fifty-five years, their love conquered all. Al died on March 2, 1998, and Eunice found an independence she didn’t know she had. For the last 20 years, she has been the strong-willed captain of our ship-ever the steady, strong, calming, loving matriarch.

Eunice was preceded in death by her husband, Alford, her brother Crockett and her sister Evelyn, and her parents.

She is survived by her daughter Susan Sutphin of Amarillo, her daughter Mary Carter and her husband Don, of Midland, and her granddaughter Bonnie Cater of Odessa. Burial will be at the Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery in San Antonio, Texas on Thursday, October 18, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a contribution to your favorite charity.

Al and Eunice will once again sleep together after 20 years. As always, Al warmed her side of the bed first.