Judy Merline Reiler Cochran

It is with deep sorrow that we announce the death of our mother, Judy Merline Reiler Cochran, who left us on September 12, 2024 at the age of 85 after a short and hard fought battle with liver disease. Her life began on January 4, 1939 when she was born in Houston, Texas to Benjamin Emil and Nellie Pearson Reiler.

Always full of love, laughter and resilience, she served God and touched the lives of all who knew her - from the children she and dad always picked up on Sunday mornings when they served as part of the church bus ministry, to the youth she led in the church youth group, to those she coached in softball, bowling and volleyball, to her students she had during her 20 years of teaching preschool, to her many friends and family. Judy loved doing arts and crafts, making homemade candies and she always enjoyed sharing her work with others.

Judy also loved “her” Astros; if she wasn’t at the game, we knew she was somewhere in front of a TV watching, and if she couldn’t get the game on TV, she would be listening on her little transistor radio placed beneath her pillow. She always knew the names of every player on the team and cheered them on throughout every game.

Judy graduated in 1957 from Stephen F. Austin High School in Houston, Texas. She had a group of friends from school who stayed in touch all throughout the years. They traveled together to Canada, North Carolina, Tennessee and other places. She was always ready for their next adventure. This group of friends was so very special to her.

Judy loved her family. She was so proud of us all and showed her support in many ways. She was affectionately known as “Granny” to family and friends.

Judy was preceded in death by her parents; her husband of 52 years, Robert M. Cochran; her sisters, Kathryn Zeitler and Emily Dennis Garner; her mother-in-law, Nannie E. Cochran, her brothers-in-law, Douglas Cochran, Fred Cochran and Dub Williamson; her sisters-in-law, Frances Cochran and Bessie Mae Williamson.

Judy is survived by her daughters, Sue Nell Cochran of Arkansas, Patti Polasek (David) of Angleton, Karen Kovalchik of La Marque, Becky Mackey (Jay Roth) of Brazoria; her special nephew who was like a son, Steve Cochran of Arizona; her grandkids, Erica Gaspard, Ben Bodin (Alexandra), April Bodin, Robert Bruce (Emily), Deana Aguirre (Angel), Kim Harrington, Kay Skiles (Matt), Holly Mackey; 13 great grandkids (soon to be 14); 1 great-great grandkid; many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

To commemorate here incredible journey and to celebrate the love she spread, a memorial service will be held in her honor at Northway Baptist Church, 1421 Buchta Road, Angleton, on Friday, September 27, 2024 at 11AM. We invite all who knew her to join us in remembering a truly amazing woman. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Children and Youth Ministries at Northway Baptist Church.