Betty Lou (Kingman) Cockrum passed away peacefully on April 2, 2024. She was born on January 12, 1933, in Houston, Texas to Martin Henry and Olga Marie (Alvis) Kingman. Betty was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend. Betty, the cheerful sixth child among her siblings, shared a childhood filled with warmth and laughter alongside her seven brothers and sisters. Their close-knit family bond grew while her father often traveled between Arkansas and Texas looking for work during the challenging times of the Great Depression.
Betty and Leonard first met and fell in love in Bauxite, Arkansas followed by marriage on May 14, 1951 in Malvern, Arkansas. Together they were blessed with four children. They found joy in their family, which has grown to four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Known lovingly as MawMaw, Betty was a mover and a shaker. She worked as a Cafeteria Manager in Plano for many years. After Leonard retired, they moved to Galveston, Texas, but quickly returned because they missed their family and Plano community.
MawMaw stayed busy into her nineties, supporting her grandkids and great-grandkids in everything they did. Lately, she enjoyed watching her great-grandkids play softball. Together, Betty and Leonard were devout members of First Baptist Church of Plano. Their dedication to serving others through Christ knew no bounds; they volunteered faithfully within their church, visiting homebound members. They extended their kindness by dedicating their time to volunteering with the Salvation Army, Wylie Community Christian Care Center, and delivering meals through Meals on Wheels.
Betty is preceded in death by her parents, Martin Henry and Olga Marie Alvis Kingman; husband, Leonard Cockrum; three children, Leonard “Lynn” Cockrum, Linda Anderson, and Paula McDaniel; and several brothers, sisters, and loved ones.
She is survived by one daughter, Mary Barr; one sister, Iva Jacobs; son-in-law, Charles Powell; four grandchildren, Aaron Anderson, Candace Wallace (Nick), Jason Fondren (Jessica) and Tera Andrews (Bryan); four great-grandchildren, Amelia Andrews, Eleanor Andrews, Olivia Wallace, and a baby on the way; brothers and sisters-in-law, Larry Davis (Vicki), Kathy Carlisle (Bruce), Cindi Davis, and Kelly Kingman; as well as an abundance of beloved nieces and nephews, family and friends. Her memory will be cherished by her family, friends, and all those whose lives she touched with her unconditional love, kindness, and warmth.
A celebration of Betty’s life will be held at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, April 11, 2024 at First Baptist Church of Plano, 3664 West President George Bush Highway, Plano, Texas 75075 where family and friends will gather to honor her legacy of love and service.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to an organization of your choice, in honor of her compassionate spirit and dedication to loving others.