Retired educator, mother, grandmother and friend to many, Clairene Oliver Cockerham of Jefferson, passed away on November 6, 2022, surrounded by family who will strive to continue her legacy of care and compassion for others. 

Clairene was born on January 14, 1927, to William Bryan and Maude Phipps Oliver. Clairene was predeceased by her parents and her best friend and loving husband of 41 years, Tom Cockerham.

Clairene grew up in Ashe County and graduated from the University on North Carolina at Greensboro with a degree in secondary education. Following graduation and until retirement, she began a 40-year career teaching high school English in Surry, Wilkes, and her beloved Ashe County. Her deep passion for the teaching profession and her love of young people provided her immense joy. In addition to teaching, giving back to the community was important, supporting various organizations including Sunday School teacher at the Jefferson United Methodist Church, Volunteer at Ashe County Public Library, Memorials Chairman American Cancer Society, Delta Kappa Gamma Sorority (service for female educators) and Ashe Memorial Hospital Auxiliary Guild.

Surviving her are sisters: Billie Huffman (Monroe, NC), Peggy Oliver (Raleigh, NC); children: Cathy Lippard & husband Hal (Charlottesville, VA), Beth Meriwether & husband Edward (Roanoke, VA); granddaughter Stephanie Meriwether (Washington, DC); nieces: Julie Herr(Charlotte, NC), Carol Kendrick & husband Larry(Charlotte, NC), Susan Eyring(Charlotte, NC), Betsy Furr& husband Bobby (Charlotte, NC), Debbie Bell (Columbia, SC), Cindy Granade (Winston Salem, NC), Brenda Bryant (Winston Salem, NC), Ann Anderson & husband Tom(Pilot Mountain, NC), Mary Jane Prevette(Winston Salem, NC) and Kim Caballero & husband Herman(Elkin, NC), Elaine Heid & husband Rick; nephews: Bryan Huffman (Monroe, NC), Lee Prevette & wife Sharon (Winston Salem, NC), Rex Cockerham & wife Shari (Charlotte, NC), Steven Cockerham & wife Sherry (Johnson City, TN.), Van Cockerham, Joe Cockerham & wife Jennifer (Raleigh, NC); Special great nieces and nephews: Elizabeth Herr, Austin Herr, Robert Kendrick and Kate Kendrick; Special Friend and Caregiver for 16 years: Melynda Anders & husband Terry.

The family would also like to thank the caring staff of Forest Ridge Assisted Living, Dr. Melynda Wonsick, and the many outstanding caregivers over the years—Charlene Wilcox, Gay Walton, Charlotte Shumate, Emmy Payne, Barbara Bumgarner, Lois Oakes, Sarah Blevins, Michelle Caudill, Ginny Tedder, and Angel Norris. In addition to her longer-term support network, we would like to thank the caring staff at Ashe Memorial Hospital, Margate Rehab and Ashe Medi Hospice for care in her final days.

The family will receive friends from 6;00 pm to 8:00 pm on Friday December 2,2022 at Boone Funeral Home 2022 Mount Jefferson Road, West Jefferson, NC. A Memorial Services will be held at 2:00 pm Saturday, December 3, 2022, at the Jefferson United Methodist Church, Jefferson, NC.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to; Ashe Memorial Hospital Foundation, 200 Hospital Avenue, Jefferson, NC 28640, Jefferson United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 236, Jefferson, NC 28640 or Forrest Ridge Assisted Living, Activities Fund, 151 Village Park Drive, West Jefferson, NC 28694.