Mildred Cockerell Shine

Mildred Cockerell Shine, 101, of Killeen, passed away on Sunday, June 18, 2023. Funeral services will be held at Harker Heights Methodist Church on Thursday, June 22 at 12 pm. A visitation will be held an hour prior to service time.

Mildred was born on October 20, 1921, in the community of Sparta to Henry Cockerell and Flora Bell Nunnelly Cockerell. She attended school in Hay Branch and graduated from Avenue D School in Killeen. She married Fulton Shine on August 27, 1938.

She retired after 35 years as Dr. R. J. Whitten’s clinic nurse. She was a charter member of the Texas Association of Office Nurses. She was a member of the American Business Women’s Association, where she belonged to the exclusive Inner Circle. She was president and Woman of the Year for the Heart of Texas Chapter and charter president and Woman of the Year for the Longhorn chapter. She had 30 years of perfect attendance.

She was also very active in her community. She was the first woman elected to the Harker Heights City Council and served from 1978 to 1982, several years as Mayor pro-tem. She served on several committees, including the Police Commission and the Health and Sanitation Board. She was also Precinct Chairman and a member of the Bell County Democratic Executive Committee.

She was a charter member of the Harker Heights United Methodist Church where she served on the official board as treasurer.

She was a member of the Bluebonnet Model A Car Club and the Stardust Ballroom Dance Club. She was also a huge fan of Bluegrass music as it brought back memories of her childhood.

Her favorite pastime was fishing. From her earliest days, some of her favorite memories were days spent fishing with friends and family. She could filet a catfish as well as the pros.

She spent her later years quilting and gardening. Many friends and family members are special recipients of her beautiful handmade quilts.

Mildred was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Fulton; sons, Charles, and Mark; sisters, Verdie Glenn, Julie Travis and Willie Barlow; brothers, Wallace Blair and Moody Rex Cockerell; son-in-law, Daryl Bishop; and long-time companion, Carl Vinson.

She is survived by son, John. W. Shine and wife, Skippi of Wylie; daughters, Patricia Shine Bishop of Killeen, and Peggy Shine Lemens and husband, Veldon of Austin; grandchildren, David Bishop, Cody Lemens, Ronni Stuart and husband, James, Misti Phipps and husband, John; Carl’s daughters, Pamela Roth and Valerie Vinson; as well as great-granddaughters, Mia Stuart, Jordan Stuart, Katlyn Phipps and great-grandson, Logan Phipps.