Bessie L. Collier Cockrell

Mrs. Bessie L. Collier Cockrell age 63 of Kimball, WV; formerly of Welch, WV departed this life on Thursday, September 21, 2023 in Raleigh General Hospital, Beckley, WV.  She was born in Welch October 1, 1959, into the loving parentage of Christine Tolliver Robinson and John F. Collier Sr.  Bessie was of the Baptist faith.  She was a member of the first graduating class in 1979 at Mount View High School in Welch.  Bessie furthered her education by earning her Bachelor's degree at Bluefield State College.  After joining the workforce, she was known for her outstanding work ethics and professionalism.  She was last employed by a private company, Fresh Start Family Services as a Parenting Professional.  Bessie was known as Loreine all of her life to both her family and friends.  She had a very quiet, gentle spirit and a generously, loving heart.  She was strongly independent and resilient, no matter what life challenges she faced.  She was a lady of class and had a sense of humor that endeared her even more so to her family. Her most favorite pastimes were spent listening to music, watching television crime shows and horror movies.  She was a very skilled driver and enjoyed traveling.  Bessie was preceded in death by both her Mother and Father; one son, Antonio "Bo" Ward; one grandson, Samuel White and five of her siblings:  Leroy, Bertha, (twins,) Jackie and Jacqueline and James "Rooster." Bessie/Loreine will be lovingly remembered as a wonderful mother to her children:  Shenika Wray, Shereilla L. Hearn, Cory J. Hale and Shatika (Sherman) Jones; her grandchildren:  Tesmaudia, Kristopher, Je'nye, Jayden, Ty'quashia, Tiychiera, JaZay, Xavier and one due to arrive in November and one in December.  Her devoted siblings:  Georgia Ann Wheeler, Shirley and her husband, Harry Neal III., Clarence and his wife, Lila Tolliver, John F. Collier Jr. (her confidante), Margret Nemore, Christine and her husband, Robert Gilliam and Louvenia Dotson; her many dear nephews, nieces and cousins; her many friends and neighbors.  A Private Celebration of Life Service (Family only) will be held at 12:00 noon on Thursday, September 28, 2023 at the Lifeline Church 250 Oakvale Road in Princeton, WV.  Interment will follow in Restlawn Memorial Gardens, 6605 New Hope Road in Bluewell, WV.  Public Visitation will begin at 11:00 AM.  Services entrusted to Gregory-Page Funeral Home in Welch, WV.    

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Bessie L. Collier Cockrell, please visit our floral store.