Betty R. Cochran

Betty R. Cochran of Parkersburg passed away peacefully in her home on March 4, 2024, at the age of 98.

She was born January 22, 1926, in Smithville, West Virginia, a daughter of the late Charles and Coca Waggoner Hedge, and Betty graduated from Harrisville High School in 1945.

Betty entered the Cadet Nurses Corp., which was developed to support the war effort during World War II, as a part of Camden Clark School of Nursing, from which she graduated in 1948 to begin her lifelong nursing career. She worked in hospitals in New Jersey and North Carolina before Camden Clark Memorial Hospital, retiring in 1988 with 35 years of service.

She is survived by son, Paul W. Cochran; grandchildren, Justin, Marisa, Evan (Jessica), Summer, and Paxton; great-grandchildren, Jayla, Braxton, Oaklynn, Waylon, Auroa, Ryleigh, Charlotte, and Meadow; brother, Bernard (Jean) Hedge; and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, Betty was preceded in death by her husband, Paul M. Cochran; son, Philip M. Cochran; brothers Charles Hedge and William Hedge; sisters, Donna Wenzel and Mary Caudill; and an infant son in 1956.

The Cochran family would like to extend special thanks to Housecalls Hospice and Old Man Rivers, with a very special thanks to William “Billy” Aronhalt for the care given to Betty.

Please consider a memorial donation to Nurses Alumni at Camden Clark Memorial Hospital, P.O. Box 718, Parkersburg, WV 26101.

Funeral services will be conducted 11:00 a.m. Friday, March 8, 2024, at Vaughan Kimes Funeral Home with Chaplain Aron Thompson officiating. Entombment will follow at Sunset Memory Gardens. The family will receive friends 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.

Video tribute to the amazing life of Betty R. Cochran:

As a convenience to those who could not attend, Betty's funeral service was recorded and is available to view here: