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Mary Cogburn Obituary
Mary was the daughter of the late Bob and Sarah Williams of Jackson, Mississippi where she grew up. Mary, a 1963 graduate of Murrah High School and alumnae of the University of Southern Mississippi, was a flight attendant for Delta Airlines from 1965 until 1970. She was based with Delta in Memphis, TN where she met her husband, Travis Cogburn, Jr. The couple recently celebrated their forty-first wedding anniversary.
When Delta closed its Memphis base in 1970, Mary became a fulltime homemaker and mother, giving birth to their daughter, Kelly, in 1971. In subsequent years Mary returned to the business world, working with several companies, including a screen printing business owned with her husband. For the past twenty years she served as transportation coordinator for Ezon, Inc. The center of her life, however, was always her family: daughter Kelly, husband Travis, and beloved grandchildren, Courtney and Colby Goode.
Mary loved boating on Pickwick Lake with her family and friends and spent many vacations and weekends there. Seven years ago she refused to succumb to a diagnosis of cancer and proactively fought the disease both personally and as a volunteer participant in cancer drug trials and various charitable cancer organizations. Her courage and determination earned the admiration of friends, colleagues, physicians, and nurses.
She will be sorely missed.
In addition to her husband, Travis and her daughter, Kelly Cogburn Goode, Mary is survived by her granddaughter, Courtney Goode; grandson, Colby Goode; son-in-law, Mike Goode, all of Memphis; sister, Lisa Williams Davis, of Jackson, MS; nephews, Bob Hall and his wife, Dianne, Chris Hall and his wife, Kathy; grandnephew, Christian Hall; and grandniece, Shelby Hall also of Jackson; and a host of loving friends.
Mary's life will be celebrated with visitation on Wednesday, September 10, 2008, from 5-8 pm, at Forest Hill Funeral Home East in Memphis and a Memorial Service will be held on Thursday, September 11, 2008, at 10 am, at the funeral home with inurnment in Cairo Cemetery in Alamo, TN.
In lieu of flowers the family requests memorial donations be made to the West Clinic's Wings Cancer Foundation, 100 N Humphreys Blvd, Memphis, TN 38120.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Mary Cogburn
Travis Cogburn
October 7, 2008
To all who knew Mary,
Thank you for your expressions of sympathy and caring. Mary loved you all and loved being with you. Mary seldom had anything negative to say about anyone. Her positive attitude and your friendship carried her thru some dark days. She is in a better place and will be missed greatly by all who knew and loved her.
Beverly Harkness
September 21, 2008
Travis, Kelly, Mike & family,
What a blessing it was to become friends with such a fantastic group of people. Rick and I moved to Memphis for his residency in 1980 and were part of the Ruskin Road bunch. Those were such wonderful times. I always thought Mary was such a beautiful lady! She was fun to talk to and laugh with. I feel very blessed to have known her and her family. I know Mary is deeply missed and I pray for your comfort and peace.
Lisa Williams Davis
September 16, 2008
My heartfelt thanks to all who have left such loving messages in memory of my precious sister, Mary. The comfort such support brings in these dark days of grief is simply immeasurable. God bless each one of you.
Jo Ann & Jere Pierce
September 13, 2008
Travis, Kelly, Mike, children, Lisa and family,
Mary was a firm friend, full of laughter and delight. Always concerned about others when she had so many obstacles she was faced with everyday. She is loved and will be missed so much. We all have gained our own angel to watch over us each day and I feel stronger for that fact. Love Jere and Jo Ann
Bobbie Leanne Foster
September 11, 2008
Travis and Family,
I am truly sorry for your loss. I know there are no words that will comfort you. Just know that you all are in my prayers and may God be with you in this time of sorrow.
Dick and Jennifer Hall
September 10, 2008
Travis, Kelly, Lisa, and family;
Please know all of you are in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. May God hold and keep you in His loving care. Mary was a very special lady and her courageous and delightful spirit can remain a part of your lives through your precious memories. Her courage and positive attitude touched us all. As you walk through this valley, remember our loving Shepherd is there to guide you. (Psalms 23)
Thad & Sandra Kelly
September 10, 2008
My deepest sympathy to the Cogburn family. Mary was like a little sister to me. That wonderful deep voice will live in my mind as long as I live. She will be missed sorely, but she will always live in my heart.
Sandra never had the opportunity to know Mary as I did but she loved Mary through my stories of her. We both wish that it were possible to be there at this time. Our thoughts are with you all.
Susan Coletta
September 10, 2008
Travis & family,
My deepest sympathy to each of you. Mary's contagious smile and laughter will be missed by all who knew her. Her positive outlook should be embraced by us all. May she rest in peace.
Thinking of you all,
Susan Coletta
Bobby and Donna McBroom
September 10, 2008
We have been friends with Mary and Travis for nearly 40 years. She has always been a kind, loving, caring and fun person. She will be sorely missed by us and all that knew her. Our deepest sympathies to Travis, Kelly and all the family.
Floyd & Jennifer McLendon
September 10, 2008
Our deepest sypathies for the Cogburn family. Mary was a light to all that knew her. She will be missed by everyone who's lives she touched.
Karen Pruett
September 9, 2008
My deepest sympathy to Travis, Kelly and the entire family.
I will deeply miss Ms Mary. She was a wonderful customer and good friend.
She was a true testimonial to me teaching me about courage, faith and living life never complaining.
God has her in his tender loving arms with no more pain and suffering.
May God give you strength each day.
Cherish those wonderful memories of her forever...I know that I will, for she touched my life in a very special way over the past six years of knowing her.
Helaine & Mike MacPhail
September 9, 2008
Travis, Kelly, Mike and family,
The thing we remember most about Mary was her infectious laugh and her positive attitude always. We were fortunate to also be in the Ruskin/Long Acre bunch for many years and enjoyed good times at Pickwick and elsewhere with this wonderful group of friends.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. We are so very sorry for your loss.
Kathy & Buckshot Stevens
September 9, 2008
We will miss Mary's smiles and laughter. We hold you in our hearts with our thoughts and prayers.
Gwen Carter
September 9, 2008
Lisa, I am so sorry to hear about your sister. Please know that my thoughts and prayers are with you.
Lynn Lanigan
September 9, 2008
Mary loved her family and friends,
Mary loved her home and garden,
Mary loved a good glass of wine,
Mary loved to cook,
Mary loved “substantial” food,
Mary loved colorful sunsets and beautiful sunrises,
Mary loved boating at Pickwick,
Mary loved to laugh her laugh,
Mary loved life to the fullest,
Mary loved helping others,
Mary loved God with all her heart,
We all know where she is right now!
God Bless Mary!
Lynn and Jay (in spirit) Lanigan
Charlotte Wolfe
September 9, 2008
John and I knew the Cogburn family when we kept our boat Greenwater Marina at Pickwick. A really fine family and Mary was a doll. Always a smile and a kind comment for everyone. She will be missed and our sincere sympathies to her family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Brenda Tolliver
September 9, 2008
I first met Mary at Pickwick. She was always happy and joyful, and made everyone feel the same way.
The last time I saw Mary, we were at West Clinic. She always had a smile and was so very optomistic. She had informed everyone at Ezon where she worked that at some point they may have to wheel her bed down the hall of Ezon so she could work, and they were all ready do do so.
She will always be in my heart and will always be an example of courage, faith and strength.
To her family, I know you miss her, but God needed another angel to work for the cause.
God Bless You All.
Brenda Tolliver/Robbie Day
Brenda Estle
September 9, 2008
Mary has been a good freind for many years, even though I moved away.Each time I had the pleasure of seeing her, I felt blessed to know her and be her freind.
Of all the women I 've know she has always kept the greatest attitude,even in her many years of fighting cancer ,She would say I'm going to beat it. She put up a hard fight,and kept a wonderful sense of humor though it all.
My prayers are with the Loved Ones she leaves behind.
Joe Davis
September 9, 2008
You have left us with many precious memories..May your soul rest in peace..
Ray & Mary Ellen Parks
September 9, 2008
Our prayers are with you and the family
Ray & M.E.
Thad McLaurin
September 9, 2008
Please accept my deepest sympathies.
Kay Hendrick
September 9, 2008
So sorry to hear about your sister.
Love, Kay
Libby and Bill Brown
September 9, 2008
Boating at Pickwick is one of the best times in our lives. Mary and Travis were one of the 1st friends we met when we moved our boat to Greenwater Marina and our friendship has continued. Mary was full of life, loved her family so much, loved boating and always brought a smile to everyone's face. We knew when Mary arrived by her laugh and smile. Our lives have been blessed by having Mary Cogburn as our friend. Love to Travis, Kelly and all of Mary's precious family. Bill and Libby Brown, Cumming, Ga. (Previously Memphis, Tn.)
Dianne Higgs
September 9, 2008
In 1981 when my husband Gary and I moved into the "fold" of the Ruskin & Longacre bunch, we met Mary and Travis. We are the youngest of the couples who over the past twenty eight years have enjoyed many years of continued friendship, holiday and impromptu gatherings, trips to Pickwick and supporting each other in times of personal lossess. We seem to have cemented a life long bond that in despite of moving to different areas of town, remains strong today.
Mary Cogburn was one of the most geniune, kindest and oh so funny ladies that brought such happiness to so many.
I loved the way that despite some of the endless teasing she received from some of the guys when fixing her plate at gatherings or those who in the early years warned her of the worries that would be ahead of her with a teenage daughter;Mary was always on her game; coming back with just the right answer ...all with a twinkle in her eye.
She was one proud mom and grandma. Anyone could see that Kelly became all she and Travis could have hoped for. The addition of Mike and the grandkids filled her life with such joy. At most every school function, we would see Mary front and center for her
granddaughter.
No words can express how much we will miss her. No words can express our sorrow for Travis, Kelly, Mike and the grandchildren and the others she leaves behind.
We grieve for you and with you. May God Bless your Family.
Gary and Dianne Higgs
Millington, TN
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