Freestone County, Texas
Obituaries


Obituary of Dorothy Ann Cockerell Bradley Willard
 (November 16, 1931 - September 18, 2012)
 
    Dorothy Ann Cockerell Bradley Willard, 80, of Hubbard, Texas, passed away 
peacefully on Tuesday, September 18, 2012, under Hospice Care at home. 
Visitation will be at Corley Funeral Home in Corsicana on Thursday, Sept. 20, 
2012 from 5 – 7 PM. A graveside service and burial will be 10 AM Friday, Sept. 
21, 2012 at Eureka Cemetery with Rev. Ricky Woodall of First Baptist Church in 
Hubbard, Texas, officiating with Dr. Danny Reeves of First Baptist Church in 
Corsicana, Texas.
   She was diagnosed with throat and lung cancer in May 2012, and decided not to 
receive medical treatments for cancer; her belief being the Holy Trinity was her 
one and only saving grace. She was a great example of a strong and virtuous 
woman.
   Dorothy was born to Lonnie Roy and Flora Mae Gotcher Cockerell in Longview, 
Texas, on November 16, 1931. She graduated from Wortham High School in 1948, and 
attended Navarro College and graduated in 1951. She returned to the nursing 
program at Navarro College and graduated with an LVN certification in 1988.
   Dorothy was a member of First Baptist Church of Hubbard, Texas. Through the 
guidance of her Sunday school teacher and parents, she accepted Christ as her 
savior at the age of 9. She was dedicated throughout the years playing the piano 
and/or organ in various churches she attended throughout her lifetime. Dorothy 
enjoyed working with Sunday school classes, GAs, Mission Friends and Vacation 
Bible School. She started each day by reading her Bible.
   After retiring from nursing in 2011, Dorothy devoted her time to activities 
which brought her joy: caring for her husband, spending time with family, 
cooking and crafting. For many years she enjoyed living and traveling abroad. 
Dorothy excelled in bowling, crocheting, knitting, sewing, working crossword 
puzzles and caring for others. Her most rewarding times were taking care of 
others, teaching her students patient care, and spending time with her family.
   She is preceded in death by her parents, her sister Florene Cockerell Wilson; 
and her first husband James Monroe (Caveman) Bradley, Jr. They were married for 
25 years before his tragic death in 1976.
   Dorothy is survived by her loving husband of 34 years, C. E. “Pete” Willard 
of Hubbard, Texas; brother, Lonnie Roy Cockerell, Jr. and wife Juanita, of 
Mission, Texas; children, Debra Ann “Debby” Bradley Hill and husband Mike of 
Kerens; John Robert “Bobby” Bradley and wife Edy Beatriz Soria of Brookshire, 
Texas; grandchildren, Daphne Leanne Hill Pesina and husband Robert of DeSoto, 
Bradley Willard Hill of Richardson, John Robert Bradley II and wife Mary of San 
Antonio, and Melissa Liz Bradley Kaiser and husband Tripp of New York City; and 
great-grandson William Michael Hill of Richardson; and a host of cousins, 
nieces, nephews and friends.
   The family appreciates the care Dorothy received from the physicians in the 
Providence Health System, Waco, and the caretakers from the Providence Hospice, 
Mexia, Texas, especially her assigned nurse, Lori; as well as nurse aid and 
former student Jo.