Doris Lanier Cocke

Doris Lanier Cocke, 88, formerly of Hurt died Tuesday, November 15, 2016 at The Summit in Lynchburg. She was the wife of Paul Edmond Cocke for sixty-eight years. Born in Pittsylvania County, she was a daughter of the late Sarah Francis "Fannie" Emerson Lanier and Dews Lanier. She was a long and devoted member of New Bethel United Methodist Church where she taught youth and adult Sunday School classes and served as Administrative Board Chair for many years. Mrs. Cocke received her undergraduate degree from Longwood University and a Master of Science Degree from Virginia Tech. She did further study at Averett University, UVA, and James Madison University. She taught school for a short time in Pittsylvania County, however her long time career was at Altavista High School. While at AHS, she taught Home Economics Education/Family Living and English. She was Vocational Education Department Chair and sponsor of the popular Future Homemakers of America organization, which also provided leaders for the State FHA Association. She sponsored the National Association of Student Councils for nineteen years. Mrs. Cocke was often asked by the State Department of Home Economics Education to serve on state committees and to chaperone youth to out-of-state conferences. She always tried to provide outstanding and educational activities for her students including a trip to the World's Fair in Memphis. Mrs. Cocke was President of the Virginia Home Economics Teachers Association for two terms, President of the Virginia Vocational Association and served on the American Vocational Association Planning and Policy Committee of the Southern Region. She received many awards and certificates for her untiring interest in education, some namely VHETA Teacher of the Year, Honorary FHA Adviser, NAVHET Distinguished Service Award and the VVA Presidential Award. She was a Past President of Delta Kappa Gamma, a society of key women educators. She was invited to the White House Conference on Children and Youth by President Dwight D. Eisenhower which met in Washington, D.C. and at the University of Maryland. After retiring, she became more interested in history and the genealogical/hereditary societies. She was descended from the founding families of Virginia and was proud of her heritage. She was a member of the Jamestown Society whose 12th generation grandfather came to the colonies in 1610, a member of the Dames of the Magna Charta, a member of the Plantagenet Society, a past Regent of the Colonel Charles Lynch Chapter DAR, President of DAR District III Regent's Club, DAR Vice Director of District II, and Honorary Vice President General of the National Dames of the Court of Honor, a past President of the Henry Corbin Chapter Colonial Dames of the 17th Century, a charter member of The Continental Society Daughters of Indian Wars, The Virginia Society, Dames of the Court of Honor, and a Daughter of the National Association of American Colonists. She is survived by three sisters, Marian Grey L. Brooks of Scottsville, Nancy Lanier of Virginia Beach, and Linda L. Rice and her husband Raymond of Hurt; two brothers, Ralph Lanier and his wife Shirley of Maricopa, AZ and Paige Lanier and his wife Marian of Colorado Springs, CO; four sisters-in-law, Gaynelle G. Lanier, Betty K. Lanier, and Shirley Lanier all of Hurt, and Barbara Lanier of Lynchburg; Godchildren, Lana R. Dews of Hurt, Jane R. Crenshaw of Midlothian, Greylin Rice of Mebane, NC, and William Dews Lanier of Reidsville, NC; two other nieces were very dear to her, Kimberly Lanier Dalton her "Kimbo" as she affectionately called her of Staunton and Sara Beveridge of Virginia Beach; also, her nephew, Troy V. Lanier of Centerville, UT. She was preceded in death by five brothers, Dr. William J. Lanier, Sidney Lanier, Larry Dale Lanier, Carroll Lanier, and Frederick Lanier; a nephew, Raymond Rice, Jr.; and a beloved niece Leslie Jo Lanier. A funeral service will be conducted at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, November 19, 2016 at New Bethel United Methodist Church by the Rev. Steve Morris and the Rev. R.A. "Dick" Dailey with interment to follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends immediately prior to the funeral beginning at 10:00 a.m. in the church fellowship hall. The family suggests those wishing to make memorials consider New Bethel U.M. Church Building Fund, c/o Kaye Scruggs, 3185 Grit Rd., Hurt, VA 24563, New Bethel U.M. Church Cemetery Fund, c/o Faye Robertson, 3900 Dews Rd., Hurt, VA 24563, Altavista Area YMCA, 718 Seventh St., Altavista, VA 24517, or the Longwood University Foundation, Maugans Alumni Center, Room G10, Farmville, VA 23909.

Doris Lanier Cocke

May 6, 1928 - November 15, 2016