Nancy Karen (Holley) Cockrell of Garland, was born August 25, 1946 in Tyler to Paul and Nadine Holley.  She grew up in Quitman and excelled at school.  She loved music and playing the piano, organ, clarinet and guitar.  Karen came from a long line of educators and followed in their footsteps, completing her bachelors and masters degree at East Texas State University.  She taught public school for 44 years, 38 years in the Garland Independent School District and was an adjunct professor at Eastfield College.  The church was an important foundation for Karen and she volunteered her time as an accompanist and helping in the children's ministry.  

Karen passed away on July 1, 2013.  She was preceded in death by her parents.

She is survived by her husband, Kenneth Cockrell; daughter, Holley Crowson; sister and brother-in-law, Kathy and Jerry Barnet of Mesquite; stepson Billy Jack Gavit and his wife Heather of Leander; grandchildren, Corrigan Crowson, Nathan Crowson, Dustin Gavit and Dylan Gavit and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

On July 3, Karen's life was celebrated with a memorial service at FBC - Garland and a graveside service at Roselawn Memorial Gardens in Mineola.

Donations may be made to the scholarship fund in her name at Bank Texas.