Reba Cockman

Reba Kay Layne Cockman, age 71, of Clubhouse Drive, New London, NC departed this earthly life on May 22, 2023 surrounded by her caring family at her daughters home in Southmont, NC.

A funeral service will be held 12:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 31, at Chandler’s Grove United Methodist Church, 2535 Blane Road, New London, NC 28127 with Rev. Steve Phillippi officiating. Interment will be at 3:00 p.m. at Lakeview Memorial Park, 3600 N. O’Henry Blvd., Greensboro, NC 27405.

Reba was born in Danville, VA on December 20, 1951.  She was the first child of Katie Clifton and Troy Layne.

As a young girl Reba accepted Jesus as her Lord and savior.  Her family relocated to Greensboro, NC in 1966.  In 1968 Reba married her high school sweet Kenneth Luther Freeman, Jr. and from that union two daughters, Dionne and Teresa were born.

to be a stay at home mother until the girls started school. With an interest in her husband’s home remodeling business, she immediately went to work with-in his company.

In 1991 Reba married her husband of 30 years Billy Wayne Cockman at Fairview Baptist Church in Greensboro.  Being the adventurer she was she worked in various fields before realizing her love and natural talent for sewing.  A skill she learned from her Grandma Clara Clifton as a young girl.  She began making wedding and bridesmaids dresses and later she was part of the costume production team for The Wizard of Oz at the Carolina Theater in Greensboro.  After retiring and moving to Badin Lake Resort in New London, NC she started Reba’s Alterations which took off quickly and kept her very busy providing a much needed service in her community.

Reba was a member of Chandler’s Grove United Methodist Church.  She served the Lord as a choir member and Sunday School teacher, also lending a hand to the clothing closet, church yard sales, vacation bible school and more, which brought her true joy.  Reba was a source of energy, beauty and inspiration; her smile would light up a room.  She shared her genuine love for Jesus with enthusiasm and joy.  In 2019, while battling breast cancer she remained faithful in prayer and trusting God.  Her strong unshakable faith is her legacy.  Reba loved the ocean, the mountains, golf cart rides with her Pomeranian named Little Girl, regular getaways with her daughters, Pickle Ball, water aerobics, live music and dancing.  During these past few months with her daughters she gained strength and comfort from the YouTube program “Grace For Purpose”.

She leaves to cherish her memory her husband, Billy Cockman; a sister, Susan Layne Bunton; daughters, Dionne Freeman Snead and Teresa Freeman Dillard; and a step-daughters, Deborah Cockman Iacobucci and Melissa Cockman Curtis; 6 grandchildren; 9 great-grandchildren and many special friends.

Reba requested donations to Brenner’s Children Hospital in lieu of flowers. Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist, Attn: Office of Philanthropy and Alumni Relations, P.O. Box 571021, Winston-Salem, NC 27157-1021 https://giving.wakehealth.edu/ 336-716-4589.

The family will receive friends on Tuesday from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Briggs Funeral Home in Denton.

Online condolences can be made to the family at www.briggsfuneralhome.com Reba chose