Lou Ellen Tolbert Cochran

LOU ELLEN TOLBERT COCHRAN, 77, of Belspring, VA, passed away Tuesday, July 7, 2026 at Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital. She was born March 28, 1949 in Bland County, VA, the daughter of the late Earl Harrell & Vernice Wright Tolbert.

Lou was a hard-working woman who was stern and always wanted her way. She loved working and collecting puzzles and watching Hallmark Christmas movies.

She loved flowers and working in her flower beds, unless there was frog nearby. She loved going to the Chinese buffet and looked forward to the shrimp dishes and their little coffee cakes.

Lou worked for many years alongside her husband, Bill, in their Locksmith Shop and their Craft Store. She went on to work at Hubble Lighting and retired from Mar-Bal.

Lou LOVED her grandchildren. She considered home to be where they were. They were her life and she cherished them every day of her life. She will be greatly missed by those who loved her.

Lou was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Billy (“Bill”) Elroy Cochran, her daughter, Anita Cochran Brown; her siblings, Bonnie Lefew, FL, Bill Tolbert, Lola Morehead and Wanda Clemons, all of Bland, VA, her nephews, William Tolbert, Jr., Jonathan Tolbert and Timmy Clemons and her niece, Julie Conley.

Left to cherish her memory are her beloved grandchildren, Logan Matthew Brown, Kayla Brown (Adam) St. Pierre, Jacob Daniel Brown and Kristen Ariana Edmonds; her “favorite” son-in-law, Roy & Angela Brown; special caregivers and her “boss lady,” Beverly & David Terry and several beloved nieces, nephews and special friends.

Graveside services are planned for Thursday, July 9, 2026 at 4:00 P.M. at the Hickman Cemetery, Fairlawn, with Pastor Justin Phillips officiating.

Serving as pallbearers are Adam St. Pierre, Kayla St. Pierre, Jacob Brown, Scott MacMillan, Renee MacMillan, Logan Brown, Randy Sawyers and Kelley Kennis.

The Cochran family is in the care of A. Vest & Sons Funeral Home, White Gate, avestandsons.com, (540) 921-2985.