Lorna Marie (Stewart) Cochran was born Nov. 5, 1925, after her parent’s Lee and Freda Stewart’s marriage in July 1925.
She was the oldest child of nine - her siblings were Reva, Rexine, Betty, Dorothy, Raymond, Eugene, Joan (pronounced Jo-Ann) and Harry, who died in infancy.
Lorna’s first memory was of being on bottom land near the main branch of Medicine Creek in Wayne County. She attended Sewell school until fifth grade; she graduated eighth grade at Logchain School after a move by her family. Lorna loved reading, her favorite subject, and read voraciously throughout her life, passing this love to her children.
Her mother, Freda, succumbed to breast cancer when Lorna was 14-years of age. At that time, she took over the care of her seven younger siblings. In order to sew clothes for her family, Lorna helped her father pick corn in order to get money to buy a sewing machine. At the age of 24, she left home after her father’s remarriage to Viola Jennings.
She moved to Chariton and worked at the Quality Bakery and the telephone office before her marriage to Ross Cochran July 12, 1953.
To this marriage were born Carol in 1954 and Harley in 1955. Lorna and Ross worked hard on the family farm – she with gardening, baking, sewing, cooking for family and work crews and raising chickens. She was very active in Lucas Presbyterian Church where she and her family worshipped and also in the PTA. When her children were older, she worked at Woolworth’s in Chariton and later at Lucas Products. She also had her own upholstery business for a number of years. Lorna also volunteered her time and energy to the senior citizens’ center and John L. Lewis Museum.
Family was important to Lorna. She was a strong presence in both her immediate and extended family, and always made an effort to attend events and reunions. She instilled a “can-do” attitude in her children and, even in her most difficult times, shared a positive outlook. She never regretted raising her younger siblings, but did regret the interruption in her education, and completed her G.E.D. when her own children were in college.
She loved her grandchildren and great-grandchildren very much. When her granddaughters were growing up, she would arrange a special week to spend with each and loved to teach them stitchery and baking.
Lorna was a very charismatic person, with empathy for other people. She could strike up a conversation with anyone, anywhere and often ended up listening in sympathy to others’ hopes, dreams and sorrows.
God called Lorna to Heaven June 25, 2016, where she will join her parents, two sisters and three brothers. She will be sorely missed by her family and friends.
Services were held 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 29, 2016, at Fielding Funeral Home, 227 S. Grand St., in Chariton with Rev. Marcie Campbell from the Presbyterian Church officiating. Visitation was held 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 29, at the funeral home. Interment was held in Rose Hill Cemetery following the services. Pallbears were Shad Kent, Kevin Kent, Ron Kent, Jeff Stewart, Jon Massman, Derek Quang and Aidan Cochran. Honorary pallbearers were Keith Kent, Glen Kent, Robert Hunter and James Dixson. Memorials can be made to Pioneer Cemetery Association. Online condolences may be made at www.FieldingFuneralHomes.com.