Ray was born June 10, 1935, to Les and Ethel Conn Cockrell in Mashulaville, Mississippi. He was a member of Murphy Creek Baptist Church. Ray, along with his late wife, Peggy, were responsible for the care and upkeep of Murphy Creek Cemetery for over 20 years. Ray was a hard worker…he worked away from home from the time he was 12 years old until his retirement from the Mississippi Department of Transportation after more than 30 years of service. He loved being outdoors especially hunting and fishing; but bird hunting was his passion. Ray dearly loved Peggy, his wife of 60 years; as well as all his family. On several different occasions, he was named Cattleman of the Year for Winston County. He was an avid Ole Miss football fan.
Ray is survived by his sister, Doris Smith and husband, C. Q.; his brother Will “Junior” Cockrell and wife, Dorothy; and special friend, Marie Shaw, all of Louisville. He is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, other family members, and friends. Ray was preceded in death by his wife, Peggy; an infant daughter, Elizabeth Cockrell; his parents; and two siblings, Thelma (Freeman) Smith and Mose (Thelma) Cockrell.
Serving as pallbearers are Ricky Tanksley, Randy Tanksley, Rylee Pearson, Lee Pearson, Kenny McCulloch, and Zach Eaves. Honorary pallbearers are Scott Barnhill, Darry Crowell, Thomas Hindman, Donnie Hisaw, Lamar Parkes, Charles Henry Stokes, and the Men’s Sunday School Class of Murphy Creek Church.
Memorials in honor of Ray may be given to Murphy Creek Cemetery Fund, 5420 Bond Road, Louisville, MS 39339.
