Ed Cochran

1943 - 2026

Ed Cochran

Born: October 31, 1943 | Died: March 10, 2026

Edgar "Ed" Joines Cochran, a lifelong resident of Englewood, Tennessee, local businessman and loving husband, father, brother, "Uncle Ed," and papaw passed away peacefully on his farm in Nonaburg, Tennessee, on March 10, 2026 surrounded by his family.

Cochran was born October 31, 1943, to Hubert Cochran and Zeola Stiles Cochran in Englewood, Tennessee, where he was raised in a home with eight siblings. He went to work at Bain and Holden Tire Company at the age of eleven and continued to work there throughout his teenage years and into early adulthood. Cochran graduated from Englewood High School in 1963. He would later work for B.F. Goodrich and J.M. Huber before starting his own business.

Remembered for his cheerful countenance, giving spirit, and kind heart, Cochran was the embodiment of the Biblical commandment to love your neighbor as yourself.

Cochran met the love of his life, Nancy Gentry, after she challenged him to a drag race on Etowah's Tennessee Avenue in the summer of 1967. While the winner of the race is debated to this day, the two were engaged within six weeks, married in six months and never looked back. For the next 58 years, they started and ran a successful business, managed a small family farm, raised four children together, and lovingly spoiled four grandchildren.

Cochran was perhaps best known as the owner and operator of Ed's Grocery in Englewood-a business he managed for 35 years from 1970-2005. For over 20 of those years, his was the only grocery store in town. With his white butcher's apron tied neatly around his waist, Cochran could be found Monday through Saturday serving the people in the town he loved. Whether locals were looking for freshly cut ribeyes or just friendly conversation, Ed Cochran always had an abundant supply of both. For him, the grocery store was more than a business-it was a ministry through which he showed the love of God to others, and it was his mission that no one in Englewood go hungry.

Accompanying Cochran's passion for the grocery business was his love of farming, but more specifically, his love of farming atop Chestnut Ridge in Nonaburg, Tennessee-a location he had longed to live since childhood and one he described as "the prettiest place on Earth." Over a number of decades, Cochran worked tirelessly to fulfill his dream of building back his family's farm, and even took the dream a little further by expanding it with his children and beloved grandchildren.

Though faced with his fair share of trials and adversity, Ed Cochran's life was overwhelmingly defined by God's blessings-a loving wife of nearly six decades, four children who adored him, and four grandchildren who were his absolute pride and joy. Most importantly, Ed Cochran knew Jesus which means his story doesn't end on this Earth and his legacy continues.

Cochran is survived by his wife Nancy Cochran, his children Kim Cochran-Graham (Todd), Mike Cochran, Karen Baker (Justin), and Mark Cochran; his grandchildren Melia Baker, Kellan Baker, McCain Baker, and Reagan Baker; and his siblings Huberta Williams, Twila Chrisman, Dorcas Carter, Jean McDermott, June Cochran, and Doug Cochran.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Hubert and Zeola Cochran and his siblings, DeLayne Cochran and Gail Anderson.

Funeral service will be held at 7:00 p.m., Friday, March 13, 2026 at Bordwine Funeral Home with Rev. Fred Sanford officiating.

The family will receive friends from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., Friday prior to the service.

Family and friends will assemble at Bordwine Funeral Home, Saturday, March 14 at 11:00 a.m. and go in procession to Cochran Cemetery for the 12:00 p.m. committal service.

Mike Cochran, Mark Cochran, Todd Graham, Justin Baker, McCain Baker, Chris Weber, Isaac Bunch, and Ryan Lee will serve as pallbearers.

Bordwine Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. If you are unable to attend, please visit www.bordwinefuneralhome.com to sign the guestbook.