Douglas Gary Cochran, 82, of Rome, GA, passed away on January 7, 2024. He was born to parents Robert Doyle Cochran and Roberta Bonnie Dooley Cochran on April 6, 1941, in Pickens County, GA.

Maxine McMurrain Cochran, 79, of Rome, GA, passed away on January 17, 2024. She was the daughter of MT McMurrain and Aline Payne McMurrain, born on May 10, 1944 in Pickens County, GA. Both Gary and Maxine graduated from Pickens County High School.

Maxine met Gary, a good friend of her brother, when she was 13 years old and never looked at another. Was it because Gary took her flying in a small single-engine airplane on their first date, or was it his guitar playing? Whatever it was, they began a lifetime of adventures that resulted in a marriage of 60 years. As Maxine so deeply expressed from her heart after Gary died, they would be "together forever," which was proven when she joined him in heaven ten days later.

Gary and Maxine began their married life in Jasper, GA, and lived there until Gary was hired for his dream job as a corporate pilot for the Georgia Kraft Paper Company in Rome, where they remained. In addition to flying, Gary spent his free time at Russell Field Airport with the skydivers and would pack and modify their parachutes and the all-important reserve chute, which required special certification from the FAA. Many have told Gary that he saved their lives by his expertise and precision in packing their only chance for survival when their main chute would not open.

Maxine began her medical career when she was hired by the beloved Dr. G.H. Perrow to work as a medical assistant in his Jasper clinic. Having found her true calling in life, she later pursued a career in the field of nursing as she continued her education, earning a BSN and various certifications. Her love of caring for and helping others in their time of need through nursing continued until only four years ago when she finally retired after 40 years of dedicated service to Floyd Medical Center. She was working as a full-time hospice nurse until the last day of her career and was known as the angel who cared for so many families during their most difficult days.

For years, Gary, along with his dad, was a Yaarab Temple Shriner and was a part of the band known as "The Entertainers." In later years, Gary had another dream come true experience when he became a member of the Chet Atkins Appreciation Society (CAAS) and met Chet Atkins. He could hardly wait for the annual convention each year so he could play his guitar and visit these amazing people who loved Chet Atkins as much as he did.

Gary and Maxine had one child, Kimberly McBurnett, two grandchildren, Lauren and Ben McBurnett, and one very special great-grandchild, Chandler Achirica, who brought so much happiness to their lives in the past five years. Maxine is survived by one sister, Kathleen Clark (Larry), and one brother, Tom McMurrain (Marsha), and a number of nieces and nephews.

A memorial service and reception will be held on their 61st anniversary at 3:00 pm on March 16th at First Baptist Church of Jasper in the Fellowship Hall. For more information, please contact Kimberly McBurnett at kimmcburnett47@gmail.com for details.