Joy Cocke

Joy Cocke, passed away on Sunday, February 9, 2020 in Kerrville, Texas. She was born on July 20, 1928 in Harlingen, Texas to Eugene Pete Garrison and Roberta Dee Johnson. She married James Robert Cocke on November 27, 1958 in Harlingen, Texas. \r\n\r\nJoy spent her early life living in the Stuart Place/Adams Garden areas graduating from Harlingen High School in 1945 and attending South Texas University in San Marcos. \r\n \r\nProfessionally, she hosted a thirty-minute live Television show, "Valley Home", when she was Executive Director of the Rio Grande Valley Homebuilder's Association. She is remembered for serving four years as the first Social Directress of the Marine Military Academy in Harlingen, and taught Business Etiquette for several years at the Harlingen Business College. \r\n\r\nShe was actively involved in the community while raising her five active children and partnering with an executive husband as he built one of the largest companies in the Valley. \r\n\r\nHer community service included membership in the Harlingen Junior Service League. In the mid 1980's, she was honored by being inducted as a Fellow of H. M. Smith Hall of Fame at the Marine Military Academy.\r\n\r\nRaised as a Baptist, she was confirmed at St. Alban's Episcopal Church in 1959. She loved the fact that she was in later years inducted into the "Daughters of the King", an order for women who are communicates of the Episcopal Church.\r\n\r\nJoy was the third generation of a Harlingen pioneer family. Her grandfather, R. H. "Bob" Johnson, was Harlingen's first Chief of Police in 1927. Prior to his service as a peace officer he served as a Texas Ranger. \r\n\r\nHer pioneer spirit showed in her love of hunting and fishing, Joy was an excellent sports woman, who was highly respected in the field of big game hunting and wing shooting. She and her husband went on many safaris in Africa, taking many friends and family members there to share their love of the people, culture, and animals.\r\n\r\nJoy was preceded in death by her parents, Pete & Roberta Garrison, and by her firstborn son, Guy Staton Cocke, who died April 26, 1975. She is remembered by the family for the grace and charm she showed during that loss and the strength she provided to others.\r\n\r\nJoy is survived by her loving husband of 61 years, Jimmy Cocke; her children, Cindy Cocke Sutton, Gayle Cocke, Shelley K. Cocke, and Cinco Cocke and his wife, Cookie. Her siblings, whom she loved very much include Jean Allgood, Jacque Speck, and Buddy Garrison and his wife Doris, all of whom live in the Kerrville area.\r\n\r\nHer beloved grandchildren include Garrison & Julie Sutton, Duncan & Jodi Sutton, Hill & Evyn Cocke, Sarah & Caleb Truax, Sydney & Jordan Grier, Savannah Cocke and Marshall Cocke. She delighted in having nine precious great-grandchildren, who called her "Missy". \r\n\r\nThe family has planned two memorial services, the first in Kerrville, Texas on Saturday, February 15, 2020, and the second service to be held in Harlingen, TX on Friday, February 28.\r\n\r\nViewing and visitation with the Cocke and Garrison family will be held at Grimes Funeral Chapel in Kerrville, Texas on Saturday, February 15, 2020 from 10 to 11:30 AM. A memorial service will be held at St. Peter's Episcopal Church at 12 noon in Kerrville with the Rev. Scott Brown and the Rev. Bert Baetz officiating. \r\n\r\nIn Harlingen, the memorial service will be at St. Alban's Episcopal Church on Friday, February 28, 2020 with the Hon. Bishop David Reed and the Rev. Tom Murray officiating. A reception with the family will follow in the Parish Hall. \r\n\r\nHonorary Pallbearers for the Memorial Services are Trudie Abbott, Billie Marie Randolph, Frank Boggus, Connye Busa, Billy Busa, Bobbie Peace, Charlotte Powers, Greg Powers, Tom Clowe, Louise Scott, Russell Bentley, Dial Dunkin, Dr. John Tucker and Dr. John Ferris.\r\n\r\nThe family kindly requests that memorials be given to St. Alban's Episcopal Day School or to the charity of choice. \r\n\r\nJoy's family wishes to extend their sincere thanks to Peterson Palliative & Hospice Care, Dr. Eugene Clayton, and most especially her caregiver, Veronica Lesonik.\r\n\r\nThe family invites you to send condolences to: www.grimesfuneralchapels.com by selecting the "Send Condolences" link on the webpage.\r\n\r\nFuneral arrangements are entrusted to the Grimes Funeral Chapels of Kerrville, Texas and the Heavenly Grace Memorial Park, La Feria, Texas.