E. Maxine (Whigham) (Gray) Cochran

ESSIE MAXINE COCHRAN
10/21/18 – 8/27/08
89

Beloved daughter, sister, aunt, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, great-great-grandmother and friend Essie Maxine Cochran was born to parents, George Andrew Whigham and Mary Celestia Walker (everyone called her Lettie) on October 21, 1918. She was born in the State of Iowa and grew up in Blanchard. She didn't have the luxury of modern-day transportation. A pony called Don carried her, her cousin, and a friend to and from school each day. Three children riding on one pony at the same time was very efficient - but not without mishap. If Don decided he needed to graze while they were on top, they all came tumbling down. As she progressed in age, so did her mode of transportation. Instead of a pony, her dad bought her a horse called Snip. She rode five miles back and forth to high school each day it was in session. The family rented a stall from a friend that lived across from the school. Maxine would ride to the stall, un-tack Snip, feed him, change her clothes and head to classes. Sometimes, she was able to ride to the neighbors, un-tack and feed Snip, and then catch a bus the rest of the way. This was great on the cold winter days. She graduated from Amity High School in College Springs in 1936.

After Maxine graduated, her parents moved to Florida. Maxine would go visit them for extended periods of time. Her friend for life, Byron Burl Gray proposed to her and they were married in Nebraska City, Nebraska on September 21, 1941. They settled in Omaha where Byron worked as a welder. They soon went back to Blanchard and worked on the Whigham farm for a time and then on a farm in Eastern Iowa. Maxine became pregnant with their first child, Larry, and was six month's along when they moved to Colorado where Byron worked as a welder. Their first son, Larry, was born August 17, 1942. When he was about six month's old, they decided to move to California. Byron worked in the shipyards for about one year when they went back to Iowa to again work the Whigham farm. This is where LeRoy and Dennis were added to the family. LeRoy on September 1, 1944 and Denny on August 16, 1947.

As a child, Byron fell off a spade while digging. He landed on his back on the protruding point of the blade, which caused him ongoing back pain. Because of his back injury, he could not keep working the farm so they decided to move back to Colorado. Once in Colorado, he found work with Gates Rubber Company. Denny was about six month's old. Although Byron's back pain prevented him from working the family farm, he never lost his love of the land. In the summer of 1949, they moved to a farm in Windsor and from there to a farm in Wiggins in the summer of 1950. However, Byron was forced to find other employment and hired on as a welder in Denver. They moved once again into the city and lived on Hazel Court in the summer of 1952 and then on Windemere Street in the summer of 1953. This is where their fourth son, Steve, was born on October 4, 1953.

They both loved the farm and, once again, that love-of-the-land enticed them to move to a farm in Ft. Morgan, Colorado in the Spring/Summer of 1954. In the fall of 1955, they moved back to the city for good and bought a place on West 2nd in Denver. Byron again worked as a welder as well as a truck driver. Throughout their many moves, Maxine stayed at home taking care of the house and children while Byron worked. While working to provide for his family, Byron passed away in his truck on January 13, 1956.

Maxine's niece and friend, Joan Stanley, moved in with her on West 2nd. She again stayed at home with their combined children while Joan went to work. Kenny, LeRoy, Denny and Steve still lived at home and needed Maxine's loving attention.

Maxine met Stanley Dennis Cochran. They were married July 7, 1957. Their only child, and her youngest, Roger Clark, was born July 18, 1960. Stan, unable to stay in one place too long, eventually moved out to live on his own.

Around 1964, Maxine sold the house on West 2nd and bought one on Shoshone street. A few years passed and Joan bought a place of her own and moved out. Maxine started working outside the home. First, in a printing shop for about six months; and then at Woolworth's Department Store in downtown Denver, riding a bus every day to and from work. Around January, 1977 Maxine sold the Shoshone Street house and her and Roger, the only child still living at home, moved into an apartment. In July, they again moved in with Joan into her home on Tennyson Street. In August of 1978, Maxine bought the Tennyson Street property from Joan. She had retained her employment with Woolworth's until her retirement in 1984. Maxine lived in the Tennyson Street house until June of 1988. By this time, Roger had married and bought a house in Aurora. Maxine moved in with Roger and his wife and was soon helping take care of her grandchildren. They were in Aurora until 1993 when they moved to a rural area near Castle Rock. Maxine stayed with Roger's family for a few years when she decided to move into a senior community within the city limits.

Maxine moved to the Western Hills Healthcare Center in February of 2007. She passed away there on August 27, 2008 and is now with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. She is survived by her three sons, Dennis Gray and family of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada; Steve Gray and family of Aurora, Colorado; Roger Cochran and family of Aurora, Colorado; and the families of Larry Gray and Charles LeRoy Gray.