Nancy Nichols Cockerham

Mrs. Nancy Catherine Nichols Cockerham, 91, of Goldsboro, NC passed away peacefully on July 6th, 2024, in the early morning hours with her family by her side. Nancy was born the eighth of eight children to James Arthur and Nancy Catherine Nichols on May 28th, 1933, at their family home in Toast, NC. She was a graduate of Franklin High School, in Mt. Airy, NC where she excelled in basketball all four years. After graduation, she began a job at the Mt. Airy Telephone Company where she ran into the love of her life, Roy Cockerham Jr., while walking to work in downtown Mt. Airy across the street from “Snappy Lunch”. They married on January 27th, 1954, raised three children together and moved numerous times throughout NC, until finally settling in Winston-Salem, NC. Upon retirement, the family moved to Morehead City, NC. Nancy was a devoted wife and mother, who enjoyed cooking dinners for those she loved and always baking a delicious pie for dessert. She was known for her lemon meringue pie that her children and grandchildren always asked her to make. One of her greatest gifts was her ability to nurture and care for children. She was known as “Nanny” to her six grandchildren and played a vital role in their childhood from the earliest newborn stages where she enjoyed rocking and singing to them. She continued to nurture her grandchildren as toddlers by caring for them while their parents worked, cooking and baking their favorite meals, and attending their events as they grew. She always put the needs of her family above her own. Her commitment to faith, family and friends will never be forgotten.

Nancy is survived by her three children, Kim Cockerham of Liberty (Robin), Rhon Cockerham of Newport, and Carol Thornton of Goldsboro (Wes); her six grandchildren, Ryan Cockerham, Alyson Jamer (Matt), Chase Cockerham (Maddie), Sydney Walker (Drew), Braden Thornton and Hunter Thornton; one great grandchild, Theodora Cockerham, and several beloved nieces, nephews and in-laws. In addition to her husband and parents, Nancy was preceded in death by her brothers, sisters and their spouses, Maude Tickle (Carl), Louise Jones (Eck), Pauline Combs (Roma), Josephine Snyder (George), James Nichols (Rachael), Bert Johnson (Jack), and Donald Nichols (Kay). The family would like to give a special thanks to the wonderful staff at Brookdale Country Day as well as Wayne Memorial Hospital and Kitty Askins Hospice Center for the love and care provided during her final days. A graveside service will be held Saturday, July 13th, 11:00 a.m., at Oakdale Cemetery, 1500 N. Main Street, Mt Airy, NC, 27030. The family is in the care of Moody’s Funeral Home, 206 W Pine Street, Mt. Airy, NC 27030. Flowers are welcome or memorial gifts may be given to the Kitty Askins Hospice Center, 107 Handley Park Ct., Goldsboro, NC, 27534, or a charity of your choice.