Joyce Ricks Cockrell

Rocky Mount - With dignity and grace, her family present, Joyce Cockrell passed away at her home Wednesday morning, October 28, 2015, after a brief encounter with cancer. She was the youngest daughter of the late Allison C. and Pearl W. Ricks of Rocky Mount. She was predeceased by her brother Stafford Ricks, sisters Agnes Respess and Evelyn Crickenberger. She graduated from Rocky Mount High School, was employed by Carolina Telephone and retired from Sprint Telecommunications with 25 years of service. She is survived by her husband of 56 years, Bennett Carlton Cockrell, son Dr. Philip Cockrell (Rachel) of Lexington, SC, daughter Joy C. Herndon (Brant) of Wilson, sister Eva Bizzell of Nashville, one granddaughter and four grandsons. She was a member of Arlington Baptist Church and her desire was not to have a funeral service but a celebration of her wonderful life. A Celebration of Joyce's life will be held on Sunday, November 1, 2015 at 2:00 PM in the Chapel of Wheeler and Woodlief Funeral Home & Cremation Services with Reverend Floyd Holmes officiating. She will be laid to rest at Rocky Mount Memorial Park following the service. Visitation with the family will be one hour prior to the service. Flowers are accepted or donations can be made to Nash Healthcare System Hospice & Palliative Care, 2460 Curtis Ellis Drive, Rocky Mount, NC, 27804. Arrangements entrusted to Wheeler and Woodlief Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 1130 N. Winstead Avenue, Rocky Mount, NC 27804. You may share memories and condolences with the family by visiting www.wheelerwoodlief.com. Visitation Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home & Cremation Services 1130 N. Winstead Ave. Rocky Mount, NC 27804 ID ) ); ?>"> --> 252-451-8800 --> | Sunday 11/1, 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm Service Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home & Cremation Services 1130 N. Winstead Ave. Rocky Mount, NC 27804 ID ) ); ?>"> --> 252-451-8800 --> | Sunday 11/1, 2:00 pm Cemetery Rocky Mount Memorial Park 4454 Dortches Blvd., Hwy 43 Rocky Mount, NC 27804