Marlene Davis Cochran

Marlene Davis Cochran, from Shawnee Mission, Kansas, died peacefully from Leukemia on August 5th, 2016 with her family at her bedside at home. She was born October 5th, 1932 in Kansas City, Kansas and was the only child of Leslie and Beulah Davis. Raised in Merriam, she enjoyed horseback riding and was active in her local church. During her years at Shawnee Mission High School, she was a cheerleader and in her later years was active on the reunion committee. She was an alumnus of the Kansas City Art Institute and was also a house model for Harzfeld's on the Plaza as well as for Beeline Fashions. She was married to her husband of 57 years, John R. Cochran, until his death in 2013.

She became Mrs. Kansas and then Mrs. America in 1967 and could be seen on The Mike Douglas Show, To Tell the Truth as well as appearing in many commercials. She represented the United States as Mrs. America through a tour of South America. Marlene was an interior designer with multiple commercial and private clients in the Kansas City area. She also owned an antique business. She worked for Crown Chandelier assisting housing builders in the area. She enjoyed working as a stylist and buyer for House of Lloyd, work that required frequent travel to Taiwan, Indonesia, Italy, France and Germany.

She was a member of Colonial Presbyterian Church in Leawood but also attended First Christian Church in Bonner Springs with friends. She was active in volunteering for Feed the Lambs and was supportive of the City Union Mission. After her own experience, she was also a volunteer mentor for others with ovarian cancer.

Marlene could out cook and out decorate anyone, and leave them happy about it. There was not a man, woman, child or animal who did not enjoy being around our Marlene. She was a breath of fresh air to anyone who was fortunate enough to meet or know her. She never had a need to profess that she was a Christian woman as her life was a testament to her faith.

In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her son Matthew Cochran. She is survived by her children Dr Kimberly Cochran and Craig Cochran; son-in-law Stacey Gray; grandchildren Casey Shreve, Brighton Gray, Katie Scaduto with her husband Michael Scaduto and Thomas Gray with his wife Kaitlin Gray; great grandchildren Liam Scaduto, Graycen Scaduto, Cainan Scaduto and Landon Gray.

Visitation will be on Friday, 8/19/16 from 6-8 PM and the funeral will be on Saturday, 8/20/16 at 10 AM at the Amos Family Funeral Home.

Donations can be made to:

City Union Mission

1100 East 11th Street

Kansas City, MO 64106