Obituary of Esmond Eugene Cocke

Esmond Eugene "Gene" Cocke of Bedford, died on August 24, 2017 at the age of 93.  After a long battle with heart disease and cancer, Gene passed away peacefully at his home with his family by his side.  He was a lifelong resident of Bedford County and proudly served our country during World War II as a member of the Army Air Corps.  He loved the Lord and was fascinated by nature.  He also enjoyed hunting and gardening.

Eugene was born on May 25, 1924 and was preceded in death by his parents, James Esmond Cocke and Lillian Wilson Cocke, his first wife, Irma Wood Cocke, his sister, Gladys C. Mayberry and his brothers, Esley, Odell, Marshall and Malcolm.

Gene is survived by his loving wife of thirty-seven years, Denise Donald Cocke; son, Wayne E. Cocke of Goode; his daughters, Sarah C. Virgin (Jeff) of Glen Allen, Rebekah C. Mckelvey (Jon) of Callaway.  He is also survived by his brothers, Raymond Cocke of Burton, MI, Willard Cocke (Shirley) of Bedford; three grandsons, Darryl, Jobe and Drew; two great granddaughters, Jesse and Julie; brother-in-law, Buddy Wood (Bert) of Chesapeake as well as many special nieces & nephews.

In lieu of flowers, we kindly ask that donations be made to Mount Hermon Cemetery Fund, 3275 Jopling Road, Bedford, VA 24523 or The Wounded Warrior Project,  P. O. Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675 

A service to honor Gene will be held at the graveside at 11:00 AM on Saturday, August 26, 2017 at Mount Hermon Baptist Church Cemetery with Rev. Herman J. Fields, former pastor and best man at their wedding officiating.  The family will receive friends on Friday from 6 until 8 PM at Bedford Church of God, 1212 East Main Street, Bedford. 

Arrangements are being handled by Updike Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Bedford.