James T. Cockrell

James T. Cockrell of Long Beach, MS, age 94, passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family on March 10, 2026. He is preceded in death by his loving wife of 61 years, Mary A. Cockrell, his parents, Robert O. and Nancy L. Cockrell, his granddaughters, Jennifer J. Bush and Dede Sykes, his great-granddaughter, Eve Gretchen Bush, and daughters-in-law, Susan S. Cockrell and Joan V. Cockrell. Four brothers, Earl Cockrell, Fred Cockrell, Bob Cockrell, and his twin brother, John Thomas Cockrell. Five sisters: Grace Cook, Maxine Bowen, Margaret Hill, Francis Misso, and Arlie Zelenka.

He is survived by his children, David L. (Laura) Sykes, Benton L. (Judy) Sykes, William H. (Charlotte) Sykes, Gerald R. (Darlene) Sykes, Patricia C. (Jim) Skinner, John T. (Jane) Cockrell and Farrell Cockrell. 32 grandchildren, 72 great-grandchildren, 23 great-great-grandchildren.

Mr. Cockrell was born in Brooksville, MS. He moved to Macon, MS as a small boy for his parents to run a dairy farm. At age 17, he moved to New Orleans and worked at Alexander Shipyard for a year (he lied about his age!). He returned home and joined the army at age 19, in July 1950, doing his basic in Fort Knox, KY. He went to Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, after basic training for welding school. On Christmas Day, 1950, he left his sister’s home, headed to Korea, where he served one year.

He left Korea and went home on a 30-day leave. From there, he went to Camp Stewart, in Hinesville, GA, for a couple of years till he was discharged in 1953. While at Camp Stewart, he served as an MP on troop trains that traveled from Camp Stewart to Camp Gordon, near Augusta, GA. He moved back to New Orleans and took his old job back at Alexander Shipyard for six months. Then he moved to Biloxi, MS, and worked at the Gulfport VA for 12 years as a nursing assistant. While there, he attended GI school (Carr Secretarial School) for 19 months. While attending school (January 1954), he met his wife, Mary, who was working at Stone’s Ice Cream Parlor. They married on January 12, 1955. Mary was divorced with 4 small boys to raise, so he had a ready-made family! He and Mary had 3 more children, completing their family of nine.

He left the Gulfport VA to work at the Air National Guard Training Site, where he worked for 25 years, retiring at age 60. He and Mary then spent their retirement years traveling, camping, and taking cruises with their best friends, Duane and Connie Blackwell, and volunteering at Gulfport Memorial Hospital. After his wife, Mary, passed, he remained at home, where his memories were; being cared for by his daughter, Patricia, and her husband, Jim.

James was a faithful member of Antioch Baptist Church in Long Beach.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, March 14, 2026, at Riemann Family Funeral Home at 19130 Commission Road, Long Beach, MS 39560, beginning at 9:00 a.m., with the funeral service starting at 10:00 a.m.

Burial will follow at Allen Cemetery with military honors rendered by the United States Air Force.

Riemann Family Funeral Home, Long Beach, is honored to serve the Cockrell family during this difficult time.