Emaline Cockerham

Emaline Hayes Cockerham, of Elkin, NC, passed from this world early December 20 to the arms of Jesus Christ, her Lord and savior. She was 90 years young.

Born in Elkin, North Carolina, she was the daughter of the late Alfred (Rell) and Lena Ray Hayes of North Elkin. She was the wife of the late Rex R. Cockerham for 49 years and mother of Darlena C. Goodwin (Alan). She loved them and her additional immediate family member fiercely. She went above and beyond in showing her love to her late sister Norma E. Goodman and her nephew Jeffrey R. Eldridge and his wife Lesa. Their daughter, Jessica E. Barker (Samuel) was the light of her eye. The family was completed with the addition of Blair Olivia Barker, daughter of Jessica and Samuel, born on December 11, 2024. As she battled the effects of dementia, being shown a picture of Blair immediately put a smile on her face. Thankfully, she got to be with Blair several times this year, including on November 16, the day she turned 90.

Emaline lived her life with gusto, always doing her very best. She lit up every room she entered with her positive attitude and beautiful smile which was showcased by her red lipstick. She always made the effort to speak to everyone and leave no one out. She loved people and loved to laugh. She had a talent for coming up with hysterical one-liners during the most serious situations, putting the listeners in precarious situations as they tried to keep a straight face. Some of her remarks are legendary and shared only among a trusted few. She and her daughter, Darlena, shared countless laughs over the years and often had to separate so that they could pull themselves together while they were in public places.

Emaline’s talent for performing came through at an early age. She would often tell the story of Rell asking her to “knock off a little piece” when the family had company. Being the dutiful daughter, she would hold her toy piano under her arm as she played, sang, and danced. She began playing the piano for local quartets when she was nine years old. By the time she was in high school, she was a choir member of the First United Methodist Church in Elkin. Her public speaking and acting skills bloomed. She was an outstanding debater and won many competitions while in high school. She met her future husband, Rex, when they were paired together for a Spanish class presentation her junior year. Many remember her for her roles in Elkin’s theatrical productions, including Curse You, Jack Dalton, Oklahoma, and The Music Man. In 1972 she starred as Annie in Annie Get Your Gun. The play’s review by the Tribune said it all when the headline read “Emaline Steals the Show”.

No matter what she was doing, hard work defined her. She was employed by Chatham Manufacturing Company for 43 years, spending the majority of those years in the Blanket Order Processing Department where she became the department head. She directed the Chatham Choir for many years. When the company celebrated its anniversary in 1968, Emaline designed the display which covered the entire gym floor of the YMCA and was open to the public.

Despite her professional accomplishments, Emaline is probably best known for her decorating skills. These skills were especially on display during Christmas, her favorite holiday. Her and Rex’s home on Ivy Circle became known for the beautiful Christmas decorations and they loved showing them off. One year, eager to win the local contest for the best decorated house in Elkin, she decided she wanted a garland to run the length of the house. She made one by hand, pinning magnolia leaves together for a garland that went end to end on their ranch style home. The year Darlena and Alan married (a Christmas wedding, of course) she planted 21 small dogwood saplings in the front yard and covered them in white lights as part of the décor.

Most of all, Emaline loved and took care of her family. When her husband Rex was diagnosed with lung cancer, he started sleeping in his recliner at night and did so for the remaining 11 months of his life. During those months, Emaline slept at his feet every night as she wanted to be close by to care for him. She kept her sister Norma Sue for several months, before Norma entered a nursing home. She thought of Jeff as her son and treated him as such. Her bond with Jessica was unbreakable. She picked Jessica up every day after school and spent countless hours playing with her and granting her wishes. Her love for Darlena was unmatched. Rex, Emaline, and Darlena were exceptionally close and had many good times together, making special memories along the way.

Emaline’s celebration of life will be held Tuesday, December 23 at 11:00 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church on Hawthorne Road in Elkin. Visitation will be held at Elkin Funeral Service from 8:30 a.m. until 10:00 a.m. the morning of the 23rd.

If you would like to honor Emaline, contributions are encouraged to the First United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 68, Elkin, NC 28621 or to the Hugh Chatham Health Foundation, P.O. Box 560, Elkin, NC 28621.