Ruthella B. Cockrum

Ruthella Cockrum passed away peacefully into the hands of her Lord and Savior Thursday, October 30, 2014. She was born December 9, 1931 to Cecil and Lorena Ray, and remained a lifelong resident of Wenatchee. Her early years were spent “in town”, but her greatest memories are those of being raised up Squilchuck Road. She loved sewing, baking, canning and working in the yard with her mother, and spending time with her “daddy” fishing and working in the orchard. She had a large extended family so over time, everyone that lived up Squilchuck Road became family. It was a very special place to grow up and call home. Ruthella attended Wenatchee schools, graduating from Wenatchee High School in 1950. Her dear friends from High School remained lifelong friends. She was very social and enjoyed every aspect of being a student and WHS. Shortly after graduation she met the love of her life, Ray William Cockrum, and they were married December 1, 1951. They adored each other, and shared many interests. For many years Ruthella assisted Ray’s baseball coaching passion by keeping score and statistics. Every summer you would find the two of them at the little league field, or watching a games at Rec. Park. They loved the game and all the young men they were able to impact along the way. When the Apple Sox came to town, Ruthella became a season ticket holder, and loved watching games all summer long! Ruthella was very involved in Beehive and Pomona Grange, taking on many different roles throughout the years. Square dancing, and attending big family gatherings were also some of her favorite things to do. For over 20 years Ruthella was an active participant in the family business, Squilchuck Grocery. Ruthella loved her customers dearly and enjoyed seeing them on a regular basis. Those wonderful customers were like family as well. Even after they sold the store, she missed visiting with people, so returned to work at Ernst Home Center until her retirement. In her retirement she was able to give much of her time to her beloved Central Christian Church, which became Cornerstone Christian Church. She was baptized, married, and was a member there until she could no longer attend due to her health. Ray and Ruthella had many interests, but their passion in life was their children. She loved being a mother and grandmother more than anything. A true gift from God she would say. Their son, Darin was born in 1965, and Coreen came along soon after in 1968. They were the most supportive parents a child could ask for. Absolutely always available to drive, bake, encourage, or cheer for her kids. Not only was Ruthella supportive of her own kids, but loved and mothered every kiddo she had contact with. She was preceded in death by her parents, Cecil and Lorena Ray, her sister, Muriel Ray, and her husband, Ray Cockrum. She is survived by her children, Darin Cockrum and his wife Karen; Coreen Tilly and her husband Bart; her grandchildren, Kyle and Katie Cockrum, Lucas, Patrick, and Connor Tilly. She had many nieces and nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews and cousins that loved her and will miss her. We would like to give a special thanks to her amazing caretakers at Blossom Valley and Blossom Creek for their loving care. Also, the extreme kindness and compassion from the people of Hospice was so helpful and comforting. Please make any memorial donations to Confluence Health Hospice Care: 1020 North Wenatchee Avenue, Wenatchee, WA. 98801. A Memorial Service and Celebration of Life will be held for Ruthella at Cornerstone Christian Church, 12 N. Chelan Ave., Wenatchee on Saturday, December 20, 2014 at 11a.m. Please express your thoughts and memories on the online guest book at jonesjonesbetts.com. Arrangements are by Jones & Jones-Betts Funeral Home. Find comfort in these words from the Apostle Paul, “For I am convinced that neither death nor life…will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:38

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Ruthella B. Cockrum

December 9, 1931 - October 30, 2014