Lonnie Gene Cockrell

Lonnie Gene Cockrell, 80, of the Pine Hill Community, passed away on Tuesday, August 3, 2021, in Little Rock.  He was born in Portland, Arkansas, on October 15, 1940, to his parents, Mance and Dorothy Cason Cockrell.  He grew up in Crossett, was a graduate of Crossett High School, and an active member of Egypt Missionary Baptist Church.

Lonnie served honorably in the United States Army and was a veteran of the Vietnam Conflict.  For forty-five years, Lonnie worked as a papermaker for Georgia Pacific, eventually retiring in 2007.  He was also a member of the local VFW and the antique tractor club.

Lonnie enjoyed fishing and hunting, along with telling stories about fishing and hunting.  He could build just about anything he could dream up but was content just working on his tractor.  He was a people person who could strike up a conversation with anyone, usually telling a joke.  Making people laugh was absolutely what made him tick, and telling jokes or pulling pranks assisted him with his mission.

Along with his parents, he is preceded in death by two brothers, Jimmy Eugene Cockrell and Murray DuWayne Cockrell; one sister, Brenda Joy Tomerlin, and an infant brother.

He leaves behind his wife of fifty-four years, Annette Travis Cockrell of Pine Hill; one son, Billy Wayne Cockrell and fiancé’, Cari Elwood, of Green Forest, AR; and one daughter, April Cockrell Mills, and husband, Joey, also of Pine Hill; along with one brother, Anthony Wayne Cockrell, and wife, Penny, of Crossett; two grandchildren, Amber Kail and Logan Mills; and a host of nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 10:00 a.m., Friday, August 6, at the Egypt Missionary Baptist Church, 563 Ashley Road 95, Hamburg, with Pastors Keith Rose and Joey Meredith officiating, followed by interment at Egypt Cemetery under the direction of Medders Funeral Home.  Pallbearers are Buddy Boykin, Tony Craig, Stan Craig, Frank Moffatt, Ronna Forrest, and Joey Mills.  Honorary pallbearers are Jim Sharp, Bobby Kilcrease, and Randy Tomerlin.

Visitation will be from 6:00-8:00 p.m., Thursday, August 5, at Medders Funeral Home, 1564 Hwy 52 W, Crossett.

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