Teresa Cochran

Teresa Dale Cochran, 70, of Forest City graduated to heaven to be with the Lord on Monday, Dec. 12, 2016. As a retired educator, Teresa was known by many from her years as a fifth grade teacher at Harris Elementary and prior years as a teacher's assistant at Proctor. Education was of great importance to Teresa. Her own education included graduation from Chase High School, a Bachelor's degree from Converse College, and a Master's degree from Gardner-Webb University. During her teaching career she built an extensive library of children's books for students in her classroom and worked to instill in them a love of reading. She also shared her love of animals with her students, often keeping a small pet in her classroom as a special friend and learning project for her class.

In addition to her passion for reading and her love for animals, Teresa enjoyed many creative pursuits and other activities. Gifted with an imaginative mind, she delighted in painting, music, countless crafts, mixed media art, and handcrafting tiny fairy villages and other indoor and outdoor tableaux. She loved the beach and cherished fond memories of a trip to Hawaii. She enjoyed attending services and contributing to projects at Calvary Baptist Church, where she was a lifelong member. When her health allowed her to attend, the county's community Bible study was also an important part of her week. Teresa's many interests and abilities influenced not only her students but also her family in their vocations and recreation.

Teresa, known to her family as "Snookie," is now painting the glorious scenes of heaven with her mother, Jessie Phine Dobbins Cochran; father, Floyd Clifton Cochran; and Sissy, Hope, Joy, Misty, and the other furry four-leggeds who were constant companions throughout her life. Left to enjoy memories of Snookie's humor and quick wit are her brothers, Kenneth Wayne Cochran and wife Shelby Jean, and Thomas Clifton Cochran; niece Amy Cherie Cochran; nephew Jeffrey Kenneth Cochran and wife Jennifer; great-nephew Jake Alexander Cochran; and numerous cousins.

For the past two years, with the decline of her health, dear friends of Teresa's hosted an annual luau in her honor. Friends, family, and church family attended to celebrate life with her. This happy remembrance was sufficient for Teresa; she requested that no memorial service be held.
Memorial gifts may be made to Hospice of Rutherford County ( http://hospiceofrutherford.org/donate ) or the Rutherford County Humane Society ( http://rutherfordcountyhumanesociety.org/ ).