Helen M. Lewis Cochrane

Helen M. Lewis Cochrane of Garner, NC died in her home on December 24, 2016.  She was 94 years old. Helen was the youngest of four children born to Robert Clayton Lewis and Mollie Williams Waynick Lewis of Greensboro, NC.  “Bob” Lewis was head of the pattern department of the denim “overalls” company that became Blue Bell. Helen was preceded in death by her sisters, Ruth Lewis Petree (High Point, NC) and Edna Lewis Duncan (Columbia City, IN), and her brother, Charlie Lewis (Burlington, NC). Helen met the love of her life, Charles Alvin “Mickey” Cochrane, while he was a student athlete at High Point College (now High Point University).  They were married in December of 1940 and soon moved to Mickey’s hometown of Star, NC where he taught math and coached until 1957 when the Cochrane family moved to Garner, NC.  Mickey died in 2015 during the 75th year of marriage to Helen.  He was 97. Helen and Mickey are survived by their three children:  Jean Tunstall (Tommy), Dan Cochrane (Lyn), and Krisan Gregson (Louis); eight grandchildren: Susan Hinton (Allen), Laura Jefferson (Neil), Sarah Blake (Scott), Renee Yongue, Michele Cochrane, Chad Schutte (Lisa), Hugh Gregson, and Anna Gregson Panagi (Andrew); as well as ten great grandchildren. Helen Cochrane has always been at the center of service groups in Star, NC and in Garner, NC.  In Star, she did volunteer work as a Gray Lady in Troy (also donating many gallons of blood), substitute teaching, cake decorating, and church work. She was active in many clubs, including the Halcyon Woman’s Club and bridge groups.  She later became a clerk in the Star Post Office.  In Garner, Helen continued in a life’s career in the Garner Post Office, then located in Forest Hills.  She actively supported Garner Methodist Church’s women’s group, her Ladies Bible Study Class and other Sunday school classes, all the endeavors of the men’s and youth groups, as well as the Church Library.  The United Methodist Women awarded Helen the Spirtitual Life pin in 1985 She was always first to suggest support, provide funds, bake pies, and encourage everyone around her. She went out of her way to help others, to make them feel welcomed, and to make their responsibilities lighter. In 2007, Helen and Mickey were together awarded the prestiegous James Stevens Award for contributions to the town of Garner. Reading and Bible study were a constant in Helen’s life.  She was a member of the Clara Craven Book club for over fifty years, serving as Secretary/Treasurer and Historian for much of that time.  The friendship and fellowship of this wonderful group of women enriched her life even up through this year’s Christmas luncheon. A special thank you goes to the members of the Garner Volunteer Fire Department and EMS for watching over Mickey and Helen all these years;  to the Garner High School graduating classes, particularly the classmates of Helen’s children in the Class of ’59, the Class of ’64, and the Class of ’66; and to the the Wilmington Ladies Tea Walk DAR Chapter.  The family also express sincere gratitude for Helen’s caregivers:  Sarah Creel, Dakerian Rhett, Jasmine Crowder, and Kimberly Bradby. Service and support, love and kindness, these are the qualities Helen Cochrane embodied for her friends and her family her entire life. A Celebration and Memorial of Helen’s life will be held January 15, 2016 at 2:00  pm at Garner United Methodist Church at 201 Methodist Drive in Garner followed by a reception with the family.  Donations may be made to the Methodist Women of that church.