Lawrence Cochran

Lawrence Cochran, age 77, departed this life suddenly but quietly in his sleep at his residence on Wednesday, December 22, 2010. He was born on January 2, 1933 in Columbus, Ohio, where he attended East High School. Lawrence had a love for baseball and was great basketball player. His outstanding performance as a guard earned him the nickname Lefty. He served in the United States Army during the Korean War and received and honorable discharge in 1954. Lawrence was united in marriage to Jeannette Turner on April 2, 1955 and was blessed with four children. He was a devoted husband, loving father, and friend to many. He was a man of few words, but what he said, he meant, and his words would leave a lasting impression on your heart. He may have been an introvert, but over the years, his wife taught him to climb out of his shell to become more visible at family gatherings. And yes, once he was there, he really shined with his laughter, dancing, singing, playing cards, and pitching horse shoes. But, what we remember most is his eagerness to always lend a helping hand. He loved working in his home, and taught us how to carpet, wallpaper, and paint. Lawrence retired from White Westinghouse and was later employed by Columbus Public Schools. A proud homeowner, he would plant flowers and took great pride in his yard which was the best in the neighborhood. He loved animals and had a cat named Abraham and a dog named Shane. He also fed all of the neighborhood cats daily, as well as the birds. He was a diligent Christian all his life and attended Shining Light Bible Missionary Baptist Church under the direction of Pastor Celina Wood until years ago when he decided to follow his own path and attended I.D.I.R., where he studied for about one year before starting to preach and study on his own. We loved and will always cherish his memory. Lawrence was preceded in death by his loving wife Jeanette, beloved daughter Pamela Rene Smith-James, parents, William McKinley Cochran and Newman Coleman-Cochran, 5 brothers, Elder Pernell (Magdalene Ruth) Cochran, Joseph Milton (Daisy Ruth) Cochran, Clarence Cochran, William (Olive) Cochran II, and Sylvester Cochran, 3 sisters, Willa Bell (Carl-Bill) Perry, Lula Mae (Frank) Burton, and Evangelist Elizabeth Louise Bettie (William Lacy) Belcher, 2 grandchildren, David Jabbar Smith and Keion Lovelle Smith, and special sister-in-law, Mae Elizabeth (Henry) Smith. Those who remain to celebrate his life are two daughters Alberta Byrd (William) Douglas and Jeanette Smith; one son Lawrence (Deborah Reed) Smith; one sister Pastor Neoma Dennis; grandchildren, Richard III and Christopher A. Byrd, Romell, Martez, and Natia Smith, Charee’ and Charles James, Robert Donnell Bell, III, and Antwon Smith; son-in-law Charles James; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Willa Mae Cochran, Dorothy Cochran, Sara Bobbitt, Shirley Brown, Brenda (John) Dillard, William Turner, Alice Blake, and David Turner; as well as a host of nieces, nephews, many other relatives and friends. Homegoing Celebration 2 p.m., Thursday, December 30, 2010 in the chapel of DIEHL-WHITTAKER FUNERAL SERVICE, 720 E. Long Street, where the family will receive friends from 1 p.m. until the start of service. Pastor Stanley V. Wood, officiating. Interment Eastlawn Cemetery.