Shirley Ann Cochran

Shirley Ann Cochran (Miller), 68, began her eternal life in heaven through her relationship with Jesus on March 19, 2024. She was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, friend, and teacher. Shirley Ann was born on May 15, 1955 to Ulmer Eugene Miller and Marguerite Ann Miller (Cason) in Tulsa, Oklahoma. She fondly remembered her early jobs working at Bama Pie and being a school bus driver, but her proudest career was as a Special Education school teacher. She graduated from Will Rogers High School in 1973 and Oklahoma State University with a degree in Special Education in 1979. One week after graduating from OSU, she married her lifetime love John Cochran on May 19, 1979. Together they were Special Education teachers at Chemawa Indian Boarding School in Salem, Oregon and Whiteriver Junior High in Whiteriver, Arizona. She also taught at Meade Middle School in Wichita, Kansas. Shirley loved traveling with her husband. Her favorite memories were seeing snow in July in the Rocky Mountains, camping on the Oregon coast, visiting Yellowstone and traveling the Al-Can Highway to Alaska. Shirley’s greatest joys were her children: Nicholette, Sarah and Joseph. Through her children she continued to enjoy life every day and was a dedicated, adoring mother. Her fun loving spirit and sass cultivated many friendships over the years. Shirley was known as the best bingo player at North County Senior Living. There, Shirley was better known as ‘The Hat Lady’ because of her love for wearing fashionable hats. She will be greatly missed by her husband John; daughters Nicholette (Tim Kimbro) and Sarah; son Joseph (Lauren); grandchildren Owen, Silas, and Abigaile; brothers Ulmer Edward (Connie) and Marcus Miller; and many extended relations and friends. In addition to her parents and husband’s parents, Shirley is preceded in death by her sister-in-law Teresa Miller (Delay) and many beloved aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Special Olympics of Oklahoma to uphold Shirley’s prior experience in working with the Special Olympics and commitment in providing purpose and direction to youth with disabilities: https://www.sook.org/support/donate/

Shirley Ann Cochran

May 15, 1955 - March 19, 2024