Barbara Ann Bumgarner Cochrane, 80, of Charlotte died January 1, 2019 after a battle with Alzheimer’s disease. She was born on September 16, 1938 in Taylorsville, NC to the late Horace and Ora Lee Bumgarner. She was preceded in death by her husband, Thomas E. Cochrane.
She is survived by her son, William Alan Cochrane (Heather), two grandchildren, Jordan and Madelyne. She is also survived by three wonderful sisters, Joyce Wilson, Linda Teague and Marsha McMurray. Barbara grew up in Taylorsville,… Read More » NC until her family moved to Charlotte when she was in 3rd grade to run their produce stand, Bumgarner and St Clair Produce.
She loved her Taylorsville family and friends so very much. She told us many times she cried and cried when they moved. Their family continued to go back to Poplar Springs Baptist Church for several years even after moving to Charlotte.
They would go to church then spend all afternoon eating and visiting with family and friends! Barbara and Tommy continued going back to both the Chapman and Brookshire reunions for as long as they could! She also loved going to her Uncle George’s fish fry’s until just a few years ago!
Barbara graduated from Harding High School in 1956 and then from Queens College in 1961. Barbara studied chemistry at Queens and worked as a supervisor in the hematology lab, at what was then Memorial Hospital, for 37 years. Upon settling in Charlotte, Barbara and her family went to Statesville Road Baptist until her pastor at the time, introduced her to a young man he went bird hunting with, Tommy Cochrane, whom she married in 1963.
After which, she was a faithful member of Back Creek Presbyterian Church and still attended services until about 6 weeks ago! She served faithfully on various committees, but we think she would want to be remembered for her contagious welcoming smile, her joy in worship and her sincere prayers, even up until the Lord took her home! Barbara lived in downtown Charlotte as a “city girl” after moving from Taylorsville.
She told the family many times she never in a million years thought she would marry a farmer! However, marry one she did, and she soon fell in love with the country life. She helped feed the cows, drove him to Bojangles, and to every cow sale you could imagine!
Later, they would take their grandson Jordan with them, and continue the tradition! One of her proudest achievements on the farm was when Tommy was sick, she said “I raised 12 heifer calves all by myself! ” She loved reading her Bible, praying, crocheting, needle point, Ci Ci’s pizza with Jordan and Maddie, burned hot dogs, whole catfish, Coke and her family!
She missed exactly 1 game that Alan ever played in any sport, and continued that by going to see Jordan and Maddie’s games, concerts and chapels. When people describe Barbara the words that seem to be consistent are selfless and joyful! What a legacy to leave!
She sacrificed so much for her family. She truly lived the vows she took in 1963, for better or worse, in caring for her Tommy! She always asked “can I help you”, “do you need any money” (she inherited that from her Dad Horace) and “what can I bring you to eat!
” Barbara worshiped her Lord even until the end. She continued to clap, smile and try to sing hymns and praise songs even when she couldn’t follow the words any longer! She was a joy to watch worship!
She would want us to worry less and pray more! While she wasn’t “rich” in material things, she never ever worried about money or “stuff! ” She believed that the Lord would provide, and that is how she lived her life.
The family would like to thank everyone who came by the farm to visit Barbara for the past 10 year since Tommy passed. There are too many to name, but you know who you are, and so did she! She was loved and cared for so faithfully by her friends, especially those Back Creek Church friends who would take her to the doctor, to church, or to eat!
A visitation will be held Friday, January 11, 2019 from 6:00-8:00 pm at Back Creek Presbyterian Church. The funeral service is to be held on Saturday, January 12, 2019 at 11:00 at Back Creek Presbyterian Church. The family requests that memorial contributions be sent to Back Creek Presbyterian Church and/or Alzheimer’s Association – Western Carolina Chapter.
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