Henry Clifton Cockrell, 100, passed away early Friday morning, December 19, 2025, at the North Mississippi Medical Center in Amory just six days shy of his 101st birthday. He was born December 25, 1924, the last of nine children born to Henry Calvin and Hattie Pearl Buse Cockrell. He served as a Corporal in the U.S. Army in the 79th Infantry during World War II from 1943 to 1947. He landed in Europe on D-Day and fought with Patton’s third army all the way across Europe ending up in Czechoslovakia at the end of the war. Of the 150 men in his original company, Clifton was one of seven to survive through the war. He returned home to marry the neighboring girl whose well was in sight of his own. Clifton’s career included working for Rich Toys in Tupelo for five years, Tupelo Manufacturing for 12 years, Itawamba Community College as grounds supervisor for 27 years, Barnes Crossing Mall for six years, and McNeece-Morris Funeral Home for 18 years. Clifton enjoyed hunting and fishing as well as staying active, which no doubt contributed to his longevity.
Services will be at 2 p.m. Monday, December 22, at the McNeece-Morris Funeral Home Chapel in Mantachie with Bro. David Long and Bro. Jackie Gray officiating. Bro. Ron Boswell will deliver the eulogy. Burial with military honors will be at the Mantachie Cemetery.
Survivors include two daughters, Carolyn Boswell (Ron) of Gibsonville, NC, and Shelia Lockwood (Walt) of Aberdeen, MS; one brother-in-law, Jimmy Burleson (Becky) of Tupelo; six grandchildren, Kevin Boswell, Justin Wilson (Jennifer), Kristen Thompson (Dave), Jason Yant (Jordan Herndon), Jamie Yant (Jaymar Walls), and Jesi Hawkes (Zak); and great grandchildren, Austin, John Tyler, Westin, Connor, Samuel, Isaac, Aiden, Killian, and Harley, and another great-grandchild soon to be born in March.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 71 years, Kathryn Burleson Cockrell; one daughter, Kathy Wilson White; his parents; and his siblings, Albert Cockrell (Ethel), Allen Cockrell, Clara Clouse (Jeff), Ovie Cayson (Chalmus), Eron McCormick (H.T.), Sallie Mae Sanderson (Cecil), Jessie Cockrell, and Ernie Franks (Cleve).
Pallbearers will be Jaymar Walls, Jason Yant, J.T. Yant, Kevin Boswell, Austin Nichols, Justin Wilson, Kenny Burleson, and Dave Thompson.
Visitation will be Sunday, December 21, from 4:00-6:00 p.m. and on Monday from 1:00 p.m. until service time, at the McNeece-Morris Funeral Home in Mantachie.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Clifton’s memory to Mantachie Cemetery Fund, c/o Mantachie Baptist Church, P.O. Box 159, Mantachie, MS, 38855.
