Penny Cochran, 80
May 15, 1945 – December 2, 2025
Tupelo- Penny Alexander Cochran, 80, of Tupelo, Mississippi, passed away peacefully at her home on December 2, 2025. She was born in Columbus, Ms on May 15, 1945, to the late Ruth Ashby Alexander and Amos Alexander. She graduated from Calhoun City High School and received advanced education from North West Miss. Community College, ultimately receiving her Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Mississippi. In 1998, Penny married Scotchie Cochran, and together they built a life filled with love and devotion. They made their home in Atlanta and were active members of The Center of Spiritual Living in Midtown Atlanta. After Scotchie’s passing in 2017, Penny moved to Tupelo to be closer to her children and grandchildren. Penny enjoyed her twice-weekly Mahjong game with her friends and frequently hosted in her home. Her electronic Mahjong table was the envy of the local Mahjong community. Family was her priority and she had a welcoming gift for planning family gatherings and other social events with friends to perfection. She enjoyed entertaining, bringing folks together and often being the life of the party! She was a proud housewife and homemaker most of her life.
Penny is survived by her children: Lee Alexander Nabors (Millette) of Houston, MS, Julie Gibens (Leighton) of Tupelo, MS, Michelle Cochran Layne (Steve) of Woodstock, GA, and Phillip Cochran (Stacey) of Cumming, GA; Her beloved grandchildren: Brennan Pugh (Anna Leise) of Calhoun City, MS, Grady Nabors of Bethesda, MD, Harley Nabors of Jackson, MS, Ben Gibens (Samantha) of Madison, MS, Walker Gibens of Birmingham, AL, Lindley Gibens of Starkville, MS, Greer Nabors of Pontotoc, MS, Tucker Nabors of Oxford, MS, Maggie Gibens of Starkville, MS, Claire Puterbaugh (Justin) of Woodstock, GA, Kyla Gaddis of Denver, CO, Stacee Gaddis of Woodstock, GA, and McCall Gaddis of Brookhaven, GA; Her great-grandchildren: Brody Pugh, Brooks Pugh, Morgan Pugh, Lila Gibens, Jesse Puterbaugh, and Remi Puterbaugh. Penny is also survived by a host of beloved nieces and nephews, as well as her devoted caregiver, Shirley Flagg.
She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Scotchie Cochran; her parents; and her siblings, Robert Alexander, Wade Alexander, and Nina Southerland.
A Memorial Service to honor her memory will be held on Sunday, December 7 at 2:00 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church in Tupelo, Mississippi. Family and friends are invited, but there will be no formal visitation prior to the service. She will be laid to rest at Peachtree Memorial Park in Atlanta, Georgia. Holland Funeral Directors-Tupelo is in charge of arrangements.
The family wishes to extend their appreciation to NMMC Hospice for their care during Penny’s last days, and especially to Shirley Flagg for her compassionate care.
Memorials may be made to the Salvation Army Youth Group, P. O. Box 706, Tupelo, MS 38802. Condolences may be posted on Penny’s obituary page at www.hollandfuneraldirectors.com/obits.
Please follow the funeral home link above for further information, or to send online condolences or memorial gifts.
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