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JEAN FRANCES GIGNILLIAT COCKRELL

Jean Frances Gignilliat Cockrell passed away Wednesday, October 3, 2007. If you entered Jean Cockrell's home you immediately knew she was a collector. She collected coffee mugs, pens, pencils and personal treasures. More importantly, Jean collected friends and loved ones, and those friendships mirrored her collections: informal, unorganized, overwhelming at times but every one treasured as if it were the most important thing on earth. She was proud of her family, immediate and extended, and supported them in all their endeavors.

Jean was born December 4, 1927 in Tampa, FL. She lived in Savannah, Birmingham, Jacksonville and Gainesville, FL, before moving to Panama City in 1958. Jean retired from the Bay County School Board in 1991 after 17 years of service as an Instructional Assistant at Cove Elementary School and Cherry Street Elementary School. After her retirement from the school system, she managed Underglass Framery for 10 years.

But it was her volunteer activities that will be her legacy. Jean believed the best way to improve her community was with action and she was a hands-on volunteer, who not only gave her time but recruited others to participate as well. She is a Life Member honoree of the Woman's Club of Panama City and a Silver Lifetime Member of the Mary Mathison Auxiliary. She was named the GFWC Gulf Coast Woman's Club Volunteer of the Year in 2004. Touched by Jean's commitment, were the Gulf Coast Woman's Club, the Bay County Juvenile Detention Center, Special Olympics, St. Andrew's Bay Yacht Club Auxiliary, Panama City Music Association, Bay County Council on Aging and countless others.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 44 years, Thomas P. Cockrell, Sr., daughter, Peggy Cockrell and sister, Caroline Sparks.

She is survived by her daughter - Patsy Willis and husband Bill, Greensboro, FL; Son - Thomas Cockrell, Jr, and wife Sharon, Jacksonville, FL; Daughter - Jean Louise Hayes, Panama City; Son - Ray Cockrell and wife Piper, Panama City; Brother - William R. Gignilliat Jr., Gainesville, GA; Grandchildren - Kim Willis, Chris Willis, Sallie Willis, Jennifer Mahon and the special people in Jean's life who were thought of as family.

There will be a celebration of Jean's life Saturday, October 6, 2007 at 2:00 PM in the Wilson Funeral Home Chapel with Dr. Gregory George, Sr. Pastor at Gulf Beach Baptist Church officiating. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Saturday from 1 – 2 p.m. prior to the service.

In lieu of flowers, the family encourages you to continue Jean's spirit of volunteerism by donating your time to a civic or charitable organization of your choice. Donations may also be made to the Gulf Coast Woman's Club Scholarship Fund, the Woman's Club of Panama City Scholarship Fund, or the Special Olympics.

Wilson Funeral Home