Marie Cecile Crosby Cockrell, 79, of Vicksburg died April 18, 2011, at River Region Medical Center.

Mrs. Cockrell was born in Utica and graduated from St. Francis Xavier Academy, class of 1950. She retired from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and worked for the Vicksburg Convention and Visitors Bureau after retirement. She was a member of First Presbyterian Church, Vicksburg, where she spent many years as a Sunday school teacher. She was very active in scouting and was a Cub Scout den mother and Girl Scout troop leader. She was a proud active member of the SFXA Class of 1950. A humane society supporter, her love of animals was evident throughout her life.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Cecil H. Crosby and Marie Keith Crosby; and infant daughter, Robin Marie Cockrell.

Survivors include one brother, Tom Crosby (Marjorie) of Canton, Texas; son, Barry Cockrell (Wanda) of Ridgeland; daughter, Kelly Kissell (Tom) of Lakewood, Colo.; daughter, Kiely Leist (Dean) of Laurel; seven grandchildren, Caroline, Brian and Mollie Cockrell of Ridgeland, Ryan and Leanne Kissell of Lakewood and Lauren and Erin Leist of Laurel.

The family would like to extend sincere appreciation to the many friends, neighbors, and the staff and caregivers of Heritage House, Promise, River Region Medical Center and Patient’s Choice Hospice that provided care and support during her lengthy illness.

Pallbearers will be John Hanisee, Pat Hanisee, Mike Katzenmeyer, Henry Hanisee, David Adams, Gary Patton Jr., Dean Leist and Tom Kissell.

Honorary pallbearers will the be SFXA and St. Aloysius Classes of 1950.

Services will be held at Riles Funeral Home Friday, April 22, 2011, at 11 a.m. with the Rev. Tim Brown, First Presbyterian Church, officiating. Visitation will be 9 a.m. until the time of service. Burial will follow the service at Cedar Hill Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to Vicksburg Catholic School, 1900 Grove St., Vicksburg, MS 39183; Southern Cultural Heritage Center, 1302 Adams St., Vicksburg, MS 39180; First Presbyterian Church, 1501 Cherry St., Vicksburg, MS 39180, or to your favorite charity.