Clara Mae Cochran

Clara Mae Cochran, also known as "The Songbird of the Southern District" was born on Wednesday, June 2, 1937 to Cora Rogers and James Albert Samuels in Foreston, South Carolina. She had 6 siblings; James Albert Jr, Susie Mae, Alfonso, Alberta Lee, Earl Peter and Donna.
Her love of singing expressed itself in her childhood. On some Saturday afternoons, she and her older brother Alfonso, sang gospel songs for radio broadcasts. As she grew, so did her love of singing.
On June 6, 1954, she married Grant Cochran in Manning, South Carolina. They had 8 children; Gussie Brindel, Linda Jane (deceased), Grant Jr., Emanuel, Georgina, Claretha, Sandy, and Carl. They were married for 28 years until his death in 1982.
From South Carolina, the growing family also lived Miami, Florida, and New York City. It was in New York that she became a member of a gospel group called 'The Tears of Joy'. In later years, she joined the singing group 'The Gospel Creators'. They released a 45 record. One of the songs was 'God Worked a Miracle'.
In 1972 she earned her physicians' office assistant certification. In 1977, she came to Colorado Springs, CO. She continued in the medical field and later became a nurse, working at Memorial Hospital in pediatrics. She said she loved working with the babies! After suffering an on the job injury, she worked in cosmetology until she retired.
Throughout the years, she stayed faithful to the Lord and the church. In 1984, she joined the Philippian Church of God in Christ. She was also a member of the Colorado Mass Choir.
Her hobbies were sewing, cooking, baking, crocheting. Yes, her children grew up loved, well-dressed and well-fed.
She loved the Lord, and now she is rejoicing in HIS presence, she is reunited with the loved ones who had gone on before her, and singing in the heavenly choir.
She will be greatly missed by many. She leaves behind to cherish her memory and her love; her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, her sister Donna, nieces, nephews, her church, and her many friends.