Ruth Elise Midyett Cockrell
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Ruth Elise Midyett Cockrell, 92 of Carthage, Texas, passed away surrounded by her family on July 22, 2022. Ruth was born October 3, 1929, to Bertye and B.E. Midyett in Chickasha, Oklahoma and was the baby of seven children. B.E. moved his family to their final homestead, Stonewall, Louisiana where Ruth graduated in 1946 as Valedictorian. Ruth was proud of the Midyett family lineage which were descendants of Captain William Midyett who served under the command of General George Washington during the Revolutionary War and Spencer Midyett, whom Midyett, Texas was named after. She was especially proud of her brother Jack, who was a Methodist Minister for 40 years. Ruth loved to dance and before her marriage to John in 1953, taught dance lessons at Arthur Murray Studio with The Waltz and Jitterbug being her favorite dances. Ruth also enjoyed her work as a bookkeeper, being a housewife and working at the Panola College Library. She loved to cook and watch everyone eat; however, if you did not go back for seconds she thought it was not "fit to eat". She also loved being at home and spending time with her family but especially with her grandbabies and great-grandbabies. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church and believed in supporting St. Jude Children's Hospital. Ruth was preceded in death by her parents, Bertye and B.E. Midyett; husband, John Douglas Cockrell; brothers, Jack Holland Midyett and wife Helen, First Lieutenant James Carlton Midyett and wife Erkle, Perry Leon Midyett and wife Claydine, and William Eugene Midyett and wife Frances; brother-in-laws, Benjamin Franklin Cockrell and David Elton Cockrell; sisters, Bertye Bernice Burford and husband James and Sarah B. Smith and husband Robert; grandbabies, Chad Reagan Cassity and Caci Cassity.
She is survived by her sister-in-law, Bobbie James Cockrell of Bay City; children, John Cockrell and wife Tammy of Lufkin, Mike Cockrell and wife Lisa of Carthage, Cindy Cockrell Cassity of Tyler, Susie Cockrell Parker and fianc? Jerry Soape of Carthage, Elise Cockrell Ritter and husband Bobby of Carthage; her grandchildren, Micah Cockrell and wife Lindsay of Huffman, Cara Cockrell Bardwell and husband Blake of Carthage, Taylor Ritter and wife Kelli of Carthage, Bo Ritter and wife Misty of Carthage, Keely Ritter O'Briant and husband Kenneth of Benton, LA, Paige Elise Parker and fianc? Zach Scott of Austin, Cristyn Cassity of Tyler and Skylar Cockrell of Lufkin;17 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
A private graveside service was held at Restland Memorial Park with Rev. Kevin Otto officiating under the direction of Jimerson-Lipsey Funeral Home.
Pallbearers were Bobby Ritter, Taylor Ritter, Bo Ritter, Micah Cockrell, Blake Bardwell and Kenneth O'Briant. Honorary pallbearers were Jerry Soape, Skylar Cockrell and Zach Scott.
The family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Vicki Alexander, Leatrice Ragster, Betty Lewis, Joanne Rhodes, and Margie Salone for their loving care of our Mother in her final days. Also, a special thank you to HeartsWay Hospice for all of their care and support.
Memorials may be made to the First United Methodist Church, 201 S. Shelby, Carthage, Texas 75633 or St. Jude Children's Hospital.
A guestbook may be signed online at www.jimerson-lipsey.com.