Junior S. Cockerham, age 81, of Galax, Virginia passed away Saturday, April 23, 2011 in the Golden Living Center.

Mr. Cockerham was born in Virginia on February 26, 1930 to Troy Cooper and Betty Jane Goodson Cockerham. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his wife Gracie Ethel Edwards Cockerham and a grandson Zachary Isaiah Cockerham.

He is survived by his children and spouses Betty and John Huff of Hillsville, Virginia; Cooper W.J. and Jeanne Cockerham of Anniston, Alabama; Vanessa Edwards and Joe Cox of Winfield, West Virginia; Teresa Cockerham; Rose and Donald Marshall II; Andre and Rosemary Cockerham all of Galax, Virginia; Kermit and Kim Cockerham of Ararat, North Carolina; LaWanda Ross of Fries, Virginia; sister Pearl Wisenhunt of Winston-Salem, North Carolina; brother-in-law and wife Vivian and Edith Edwards of Winston-Salem, North Carolina; twenty-two grandchildren; seventeen great-grandchildren.

The funeral service will be held Saturday, April 30, 2011 at 2:00 PM in the Great Hope Baptist Church with Brother Don Collins, Brother Kenneth Young and Kermit Cockerham officiating. Burial will follow in the Mt. Lebanon Cemetery. The family will receive friends Saturday from 12:00 o'clock until service time at the Great Hope Baptist Church.