Tillie Lucendy Carroll Cockes has been a resident of Newport News, Virginia, since 1966. She passed away on Wednesday, December 3, 2025. She was born on April 16, 1939, in Augusta County, Virginia. Tillie was a native of Craigsville and graduated from Craigsville High School in the Class of 1957. In 1960, she started working at Stillwater, Inc. in the Mending Department and worked there until 1966. She then became a housewife. In 1983, she worked part-time at Prestige Press in the Bindery Department until her retirement in 2005.
Tillie was a member of the Newport News Church of the Nazarene. She served as a Sunday School Teacher for the Primary Class for three generations. She worked in the nursery and helped with church cleaning, and she was always present on church workdays. Tillie was a Delegate for the Annual District Mission and Sunday School meetings at the Nazarene Camp. She and Ed were in charge of the Laymen’s Retreat. She also served on the Church Board. Tillie was a Sunday Morning Greeter, taught Vacation Bible School, and helped with church dinners. Tillie sang in the choir and occasionally performed special songs. She and Ed received the Distinguished Service Award together.
Tillie was preceded in death by her husband of 55 years, Edward W. Cockes; her parents, Davis Dallas Carroll and Laura Emma Sprouse Carroll, her brother, Billy Carroll, and her sister Martha Carroll, her half-sisters, Mary Ellen Hildebrand Meadows and Phyllis Hildebrand McClain, her half-brothers, Robert Hildebrand, Richard Hildebrand, and Frankie Hildebrand; and her God-grandson, Luke Harden Hoover.
Her memory will be cherished by her son, David Neil Cockes (and wife Thelma) of Newport News; her nieces, Delores McClain Minter of Goshen, VA; Deborah Dale McClain Bagarus, of Craigsville, VA; Melodie Cockes Gleason (and husband Gerry) of Little Rock, AR; Linda Cockes Foster of Oscodia, MI; her nephew, Harold McClain (and wife Janet) of Craigsville, VA; her God-grandson, Randall Paul Hoover (and wife Kacy) of Rock Hill, SC; her God-great-granddaughter, Charlee Reese Hoover; her God-great-grandson, Hardin Bohannon Hoover; as well as several great-nieces and nephews, cousins, and other extended family and friends.
The family will receive friends on Wednesday, December 10, from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. at Peninsula Funeral Home, 11144 Warwick Blvd., Newport News, VA. A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, December 11, at the Newport News Church of the Nazarene, 29 Harpersville Road, Newport News. Reverends Walt Kriner, David Kriner, Kenneth Rice, and Camelot Shuff will officiate. Burial will follow at 2:00 p.m. at Oakwood Cemetery in Surry, VA.
Memorial donations may be made in Tillie’s name to the Newport News Church of the Nazarene or your favorite charity.
Arrangements are under the care of Peninsula Funeral Home.
3 Comments
I’m so sorry, She was a light in our God’s Girls group, and I became very fond of her. She was the sweetest and I will really miss her. I know she is so happy now with the Lord and her hubby. God bless you all, her family.
My sweet Tillie, you are so missed. Mr. Happy still wants us to visit your nice screened porch when we pass by. We all love you so much.
Oh my sweet Tillie!! I will miss our phone conversations and the love that we shared. You and Ed encouraged me so much and surrounded me with love. Our visits were so special. You will always remain near and dear to my heart.