Mozelle Stockton, 97, of Strang, Oklahoma, passed away on Tuesday, February 12, 2019 at The Villages of Southern Hills in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The daughter of Clay Cochran and Willie (Ross) Cochran, she was born, Keller Mozelle Cochran on August 16, 1921 in Strang, Oklahoma where she lived most of her 97 years. Her home is on original Indian allotment grant land that has been in the family since 1902.
After graduating from Strang High School she attended Northeastern State College in Tahlequah where she received her bachelor’s degree in education. Mozelle’s first job was in a one room school house in Leach, Oklahoma. Nearing the end of WWII, Mozelle moved to California where she did clerical work for a ship yard and soon married Sherman Stockton after he completed his duty with the U.S. Navy.
They moved back to Strang in 1947 and purchased the original homestead property from her parents. They farmed, raised livestock and started a family. Mozelle taught business classes at Adair High School for 34 years.
She was the first to arrive and last to leave with two daughters in tow. In addition to her teaching duties, she was an active class sponsor and involved with numerous student related events. Highlights of the years before retirement included First Baptist Church pianist; President of State Delta Kappa Gamma Society and a Democrat chosen to be a representative at the Democratic National Convention.
She was one of the first groups allowed to visit Russian schools in 1971. Mozelle assisted in establishing Strang’s Rural Water District Number Six and helped to write grants for Cherokee Nation funds that established the Strang Ballpark and the Strang Senior Citizens Center. In retirement she enjoyed spending time with five grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, ranching, traveling and spending time with good friends.
She is survived by her daughters Linda Headrick of Pryor, OK; Sandra McElroy of Bartlesville, OK; brother Billy Cochran and Ninfa of Spring, Texas; brother Sam Cochran and Loi and brother Jesse Cochran and Regina all of Chouteau, OK; sister Mary Cochran of Vinita, OK; with many other relatives and many friends. She is preceded in death by her husband of 40 years, Sherman Stockton; her parents, Willie and Clay Cochran, one sister, Louise Cunningham and one brother, Henry Cochran. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Strang First Baptist Church, 106 NE Road, Strang, Oklahoma 74367 or the Adair Community Excellence in Education at PO Box 731, Adair, OK 74330.
Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, February 16, 2019 at 2 p.m. in the First Baptist Church of Strang with Reverend Mike Wood officiating. Interment will follow in the Spavinaw-Strang Cemetery with Chris Wallace, Allen Million, Heath Headrick, Jay Halferty, Kevin McElroy and Clay Cochran serving as casket bearers. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 6-8 p.m. on Friday evening.
To leave a personal message to her family, please see her Tribute at www. shipmansfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are under the direction of Shipman’s Funeral & Cremation Service.
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