Lois Jean Cockerham

Lois Jean (nee Smith) Cockerham, age 87, of Liberty Township, Ohio passed away Thursday, September 21, 2023 in Kingston, Tennessee at the home of her daughter, Gale Kibler.  Born in Patoka, Indiana on December 25, 1935, to George E. and Dovie I. (nee Mounts) Smith, both deceased.  Reared from infancy after the death of her mother, by an aunt and uncle, Ross and Goldie Unger, also deceased.  In addition to her mother, aunt & uncle, she is also preceded in death by her husband, Lloyd E. Cockerham whom she married in Princeton, Indiana in 1956; daughter, Jayne Myers; and daughter-in-law, Joan Bundren; sisters, Betty Shackelford and Ruth Ann Watson; brothers, George Maurice Smith, Kenneth E. Smith and James Smith.

Lois Jean was a 1953 graduate of Princeton High School in Princeton, Indiana.  She retired in 1998 after being employed from 1972-1998 as reporter, editor, and managing editor for editorial products of the Journal Publishing Company, Pulse-Journal, and Community Press newspapers. 

Lois Jean was active for years on the boards of the Lakota District Music Organization and Mason (Ohio) Food Pantry.  She enjoyed New Orleans’ music and for nearly three decades, made yearly trips to that city’s Jazz and Heritage Festival.

SURVIVORS

Daughter                     Gale Kibler and husband, Larry of Kingston, Tennessee

Son                               Mark Cockerham of Middletown, Ohio

Grandchildren             Katrina Holthaus and husband, Jeff of Middletown, Ohio

                                     Matthew Linton and Kristina Wilson of Maryville, Tennessee

Great-grandchildren      Natile Hartman of Middletown, Ohio

                                         Gregory Hartman of Hamilton, Ohio

                                         Bryce Holthaus of Middletown, Ohio

                                         Kaitlin Linton of Atoka, Tennessee

                                         Brady Linton of Atoka, Tennessee

                                         Grayson Wilson of Maryville, Tennessee

Great-great-grandchildren   Braxton Hartman of Middletown, Ohio

Family and friends of Lois will be receiving guests on Saturday, September 30, 2023 for a visitation from 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM.  A funeral service will follow beginning at 2:00 PM. Donations may be made in honor and memory of Lois to The Liberty Township Historical Society.