BLANCHE COCHRAN

December 1, 1933 - May 18, 2014

Blanche Victoria Cochran was born December 1, 1933 in Hollandale, MS to the union of the late Eldridge Mitchell and Catherine Spry. She united in holy matrimony to the late Theodore R. Cochran. They relocated to Chicago and settled in the South Chicago area. To this union two daughters were born. She later met and united with Edgar ‘Clayborn’ and in this union six children were born. After all her children were school age, she decided to return to school to further HER education. She mastered many skills and talents. While working as a nurse’s assistant she obtained her high school diploma, her license for nursing, cosmetology and barber. She worked at Jackson Park Hospital for over forty years as a nurse and substance abuse counselor until she retired in 1998. While she was professionally evolving, she continued to be a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, aunt and friend and found time to enjoy some of her favorite pastimes that included sewing, gardening, preserving fruits and vegetables and styling hair in her home-based salon. She won several hair show awards. She cherished her salon because Clayborn and her youngest son Eldridge built it. In 1952, Blanche accepted Christ as her personal Lord and Savior and became a member of New Prospect Missionary Baptist Church, where she diligently served on the Usher Board. Not only did she serve God, but also she opened her heart and her home to anyone in need. As her son, Edgar, eloquently states, “Momma, was true-blue”. Blanche was called to glory on Sunday, May 18, 2014. Preceded her in death was her spouse Edgar Clayborn; her loving parents; a devoted son, Eldridge; her siblings, Lucilla Barrett and James Snyder. Her precious memory and legacy will live on forever in the hearts of her children, Vivian, Demetria, Kenneth (Edna), Florence, Edgar, Regina and Tondra (Walter); one brother, William; one sister, Otha Mae; one brother in-law, Angelo; twenty-six grandchildren; forty-eight great-grandchildren; one great-great grandchild; a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.