Billie Joyce Beasley Cochran

Billie Joyce Beasley Cochran was born on a Wednesday, September 8, 1948, in Mt Vernon, Illinois at the Catholic Hospital. She passed from this life on Friday, January 17, 2025, at the age of 76.

Billie was the firstborn daughter to her parents, Bill (JH) Beasley & Doris Medler-Beasley. Billie was a beautiful baby girl with “fiery red hair”!! Quite a bundle of joy on arrival, who later evolved into a petite little girl & woman. Billie grew up always making friends easily. Her quick smile & cute personality always put friends at ease.

Billie was baptized at Northside Church of Christ, later renamed 6th & Jackson Church of Christ. She was a young teen of 14 when she accepted the “Gospel” and was baptized into Christ. She was a faithful Christian her entire life.

She met Larry Cochran the summer of her Jr year. Larry said when he first saw her that “I knew she was the one for me!!” She & Larry were instantly attracted to each other & began dating. He tells us, he asked her to marry him in September, but she turned him down initially & said she wasn’t ready!! However, they married later that Spring. They were married in April of ‘67. They have been married for over 57 yrs.

Billie never seemed to have any fear either!! She always seemed to face whatever challenge that was given to her. She was always the one who would climb to the highest branch of a tree, jump off the high diving board, try out for cheerleader in front of the student body, do flips on a trampoline, or on the grass. It didn’t matter to her. She was always adventuresome. She liked/loved riding on the back of a motorcycle, holding on tightly to Larry as they took road trips with cousins & friends. She just “loved life” & “it loved her right back

She and Larry had their first born, little girl, Tammy, in November of 1967, she was the first grandchild & “took us all by storm”! A few years later, Carol, their 2nd little girl, was born in September of 1970. Both girls were raised in Odessa during their early years. Larry worked for Gulf Oil Company for numerous years until they decided to open their own business, “Mr. Big Stuff”. It was a booming success & popular new business that everyone loved. …But then the oil bust happened and many people lost their jobs & businesses; & so did Billie & Larry. That is when they came to live in Gilmer, TX in the 90’s. They bought a rural home with a tree lined lot, which they loved!! They have spent the last 30+ years in Gilmer. Enjoying a more laidback lifestyle there with their girls & grandchildren. During this time, their 2 girls married, blessed them 6 sweet grandchildren & 8 great grandchildren. Her grandchildren were a big part of her life, and she loved them dearly. However, things became really tough for her the last 7-8 yrs as this is when she was diagnosed with melanoma cancer. Billie was the strongest “little woman” I’ve ever known. She was determined that she would overcome anything cancer threw at her!! This past week, when she was weak, she squeezed her family members’ hands in recognition of understanding what they were saying to her. However, it was not Gods will for her this time. He is giving her, “her just reward” as a “good & faithful” servant for all these many years!! I know she was so proud of Larry when he was baptized, Saturday. She told us of how proud she was of her granddaughters, Whitney & Krystle, who were also baptized recently, & Marissa too a few yrs earlier. The family has been strong Christians as they helped care for Billie. She went to be with her Lord last Friday, January 17, 2025. Her Heavenly Father; parents, Bill (JH) and Doris June Medler Beasley; grandparents, many in-laws, extended family, & many sweet friends were there too, waiting to greet her. I can just see her in her new spiritual body, with no pain. What a glorious day that was, like the song says!!

Billie is survived by her husband, Larry Cochran; daughters, Tammy Cochran Briggs (Tim) and Carol Cochran York; grandsons, Philip Cochran, Taylor (Ashton) Sides, Brandon (Chelsea) Sides; granddaughters, Krystle Cochran, Whitney Cochran McFall (Brady), Marissa Sides-Maggard; along with 8 great grandchildren; Alec & Sidney Cochran, Abylyn & Benjamin Maggard, Riley, Zoe & Nolan Sides & Kaden Sides. Her 4 sisters & husbands; Linda (Randy) Harrison, Becky (John) McElroy, Bobbie (Barry) Warren, & Debra (& the late David) Halbert, many nieces, nephews, & cousins who loved her dearly!!

A Celebration of Life will be at the Simpsonville Church of Christ on Saturday, January 25, 2025 beginning at 1:00 PM with Preacher Larry Black officiating.