Mother Maeola J Cockerham

Mother Maeola J. Cockerham was born on November 13, 1931, and gently slipped into eternal rest on November 25, 2025. A woman of quiet strength and

boundless love, she lived her life as a deliberate offering of service, kindness, and unwavering faith.

Born to Emmanuel Bellamy and Willie Powell Bellamy,

Mother Cockerham was blessed with a spirit of compassion from the very beginning. She later became the devoted caretaker of both her parents, tending to them with the same tenderness and grace that she carried throughout her life. To care for them was not a duty, but a calling of the heart-she served them lovingly until the Lord called them home.

Mother Cockerham was a faithful and cherished member of Mt. Ararat African Methodist Episcopal Church, where her gifts shined brightly. She was a missionary, the President of the Choir, and a joyful singer whose voice lifted spirits and filled the sanctuary with warmth. She remained active in the church until her health began to decline. Even when she could no longer physically attend, fellowship was forever in her heart, and her faith never wavered.

She had a love for down-home cooking, the kind that nourished both body and soul, and she found peace in gardening, coaxing beauty from the soil with gentle hands.

Professionally, she dedicated many years to Marianna Health and Rehab as a compassionate nursing aide, offering patience, care, and dignity to every life she touched.

Of all her blessings, her greatest joy was her family. She poured her love generously into each generation, and the legacy she leaves behind is rich with devotion and wisdom.

Mother Cockerham leaves to cherish her memory her

beloved children, Dwight Cockerham (Daisy), Lewis Phillips (Beatrice), Ervin Swails (Gloria), Tondelayo Clemmons (Morris), Deborah Waddell (Joe), and Texawetha Pittman (Curly).

She is also lovingly remembered by 31 grandchildren, 31 great-grandchildren, 5 great great-grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, extended family, church family, and friends.

Mother Maeola Cockerham lived a life shaped by faith, strengthened by service, and illuminated by love. Her presence was a gift, her example a foundation, and her memory a light that will never fade.

Services

Visitation

Dec
5

Peoples Funeral Home Chapel

2876 Orange Street

Marianna, FL 32448

3:00 PM - 6:00 PM
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Funeral Service

Dec
6

Second West Missionary Baptist Association Church

4110 Herring Avenue

Marianna, Florida 32448

12:00 PM - 2:00 PM
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Interment

Dec
6

Mt. Ararat AME Church Cemetery

2799 Leland Road

Marianna, Florida 32448

2:45 PM
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