Charles L. Cockrell, age 68 of Benton, died Wednesday, October 31, 2007. He was born in Hot Springs on January 24, 1939 to the late Thomas and Ruby Ward Cockrell. Reared and educated in Hot Springs, he has made his home near Benton since 1971. Charles was a veteran of the United States Navy. He was the husband of the former Deloma Tarvin, to whom he was married on December 27, 1960 in Hot Springs. During his varied working life, Charles had worked 17 years for the Perelli Cable Company, had held his auctioneer's license since 1980, and retired in 2000 after 15 years of managing the Civitan Group Home in Benton. As those with whom he worked knew all too well, he had a penchant for pulling practical jokes. He loved to travel, had become a consummate fisherman, and was an avid reader and collector. Charles was a kind and loving grandfather.

He is survived by his wife, Deloma Cockrell, of the home; by his son and daughter-in-law, Terry and Lisa Cockrell of Benton; by his daughter and her husband Sherrie and Cris Salazar of Hot Springs; by his grandchildren, Brandon and Brooke Cockrell, and Jordyn Ross; by his brothers, Floyd and his wife Betty Cockrell and Lloyd Cockrell of Hot Springs, and Sidney Cockrell of Bonnerdale; by two sisters, Rosalie Cobb, and Linda and her husband Gordon Pate, also of Bonnerdale; and by several nieces and nephews.

Charles was also preceded in death by two brothers, Mickey and J. W. Cockrell, and by a sister, Betty Alice Blythe.

His funeral will be at ten o'clock Saturday morning, November 3, 2007 in the chapel of Ashby Funeral Home in Benton with Brother Paul Lee officiating.

Interment will follow in Ten Mile Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be: Dan Garner, Bobby Harris, German Arzolla, Tim Griffis, Terry Cockrell, Brandon Cockrell, and Roger Pennington.

Honorary pallbearers will be: Dr. Gary Collins, Billy Wayne Ward, Floyd, Lloyd, and Sidney Cockrell, and Cris Salazar.

The family will receive friends at Ashby Funeral Home on Friday from five until seven o'clock.Arrangements have been entrusted to J. A. Funk Funeral Home of Malvern.

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