Coral Mae Cochran

Coral Cochran was born in Cory, IN on 8/10/1928 and passed away 4/2/2024 at Gibson Hospice in Union Hospital of Terre Haute.  She was the daughter of Ervin and Elva Gilbert.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Sam Cochran She is survived two children. Lynne Nadolny from Bowling Green, IN and Brad Cochran (Tammy) of Tampa, FL, 5 grandchildren, Amy Antes and Kevin Hicks of Bowling Green, IN, Craig Cochran (Rachel) of Camden, SC, Christina Picheo (Anthony) of Pensacola, FL and Brian Cochran (Gaby) of Aiken, SC. She is also survived by ten great grandchildren. Saoirse Antes, Ella Antes, Eli Antes, Addison Hicks, Kaden Hicks, Dominic Picheo, Jacob Picheo, Claire Cochran, Henry Cochran, and Landon Cochran and two Great Great Grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Wayne Gilbert, and sister Ruby Mattox and Son in Law Steve Nadolny.

Coral graduated from Cory High School and received her Bachelors and Masters from Indiana State University. She taught for 20 years at West Vigo High School where she was teacher of the year in 1985. In 1986 she had stage four breast cancer. She survived that and retired from teaching and determined to help others battle the disease. She joined the National Breast Cancer Coalition in 1991 and lobbied on Capitol Hill for 15 years at her expense. In 1992, she put together a Board of Directors and a Medical Advisory Board and formed the local Y-Me support group. Later the local group became known as the Wabash Valley Breast Cancer Survivors, Inc. where she was President for five years and has been a volunteer director since then.  In 1992, she helped form the Indiana State Breast Cancer Coalition in Indianapolis. She started and was Chairperson of the annual “Paint the Town Pink” carnation sale for 21 years. 100% of the donations stay in the Wabash Valley to help women. Coral is a member of the Wabash Valley Cancer Survivors, Inc., Cory Zion Church, Newcomers and Friends Club, Delta Kappa Gamma, Kappa Delta Pi, Sigma Tau Delta, ISTA, NEA, LIFE, bridge clubs, euchre groups, coffee groups and Ladies Circle at the church.

In October of 1996, she was the recipient of the Terre Award given by the Greater Terre Haute Chamber of Commerce and the Tribune-Star Publishing Company for volunteerism. In 1997, she was nominated for the Presidential Service Award. The “You Make A Difference” award was presented by the Susan B. Komen Race for the Cure Breast Cancer Foundation. In 2003, She was one of three women in the U.S. honored for her work and advocacy for breast cancer patients at a fund-raising gala in New York City. In 2009, she was chosen “Newcomer of the Year” by the Newcomer’s Club.  In 2013, WTHI with St. Mary’s College present her with the “Make A Difference Award”. In 2014, she was honored as a “Woman of Influence” in the Wabash Valley and as a “Distinguished Educator” by the Educational Heritage Association of Vigo County. In 2022 she was one of eighteen chosen by the VCSC Inaugural Circle of Honor Class as an individual that embodies the best of Vigo County. Also in 2022, the mayor made a proclamation naming April, 26th as Coral Cochran Day in Terre Haute.

She loved traveling, meeting with or playing cards with friends and family.

Visitation will be at DeBaun Funeral Homes at 85 E Springhill Drive, Terre Haute, IN 47802, from 4 to 8 PM on Wednesday 04/10/2024 and one hour before funeral services which will be held at 11:00 AM on Thursday, 04/11/2024 at the funeral home. Burial will be at Highland Lawn Cemetery in Terre Haute, IN.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Wabash Valley Breast Cancer Survivors, Inc., Envelopes will be available at the funeral home. 

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