Peggy Cochran

Peggy Cochran

Peggy L.  Cochran, 75, of Defiance, passed away on Saturday, December 28, 2019 at Mercy Defiance Hospital.  
 

Early Life
Peggy was born on May 9, 1944 to Robert and Gladys (Carico) Salyers in Buchanan, Virginia where she spent most of her childhood. On August 24, 1963, she married John B. Cochran, and they resided in Defiance, OH.

Prior to their marriage, Peggy had been in Defiance, OH helping babysit for her sister Shirl and brother-in-law Charlie Stiltner. Peggy in total had 5 sisters, 3 of which remained in Virginia, and 2 of which resided in Defiance, OH. Her sisters' names were Lucille, Evelyn, Millie, Shirley and Ella.

Fun fact: Peggy would often comically blame her children/grandchildren for dropping/spilling items such as ice, food or drinks when it was clearly evident that she had indeed dropped/spilled it.

The Salyers Sisters

Peggy was very close with all of her sisters, they were all the daughters of the late Robert "Babe" Salyers and Gladys Carico Salyers Keen. Below is a list of her sisters. (Pictured Above)

Lucille (Lucille (Salyers) Raines)

Born April 30, 1934 in Dickenson County, VA. She passed away at 80 years of age while living in Johnson City, TN, formerly of Grundy, VA, on Tuesday, July 29, 2014 at the Johnson City Medical Center, Johnson City, TN, following a brief illness. She was a resident of Buchanan County most of her life and was a devout Christian and attended the Tookland Pentecostal Church. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and sister and was a wonderful homemaker. Lucille was a former secretary for Combs & Street Law Firm, Grundy, VA.

Evelyn (Evelyn Loretta (Salyers) Fleming Snead)

Evelyn currently resides in Grundy, Va. and celebrated her 90th birthday at the Appalachian School of Law in 2025. She was born on July 5, 1935. She was a single mother for a time after her divorce; however, she eventually remarried Joe Snead whom she remained married to until his death. Evelyn was well known for her oatmeal pies that she delivered to her loved ones every Christmas.

Fun fact: Vanessa, her daughter compiled a cookbook for her 90th birthday of all of the Salyers women and their famous recipes that she compiled from their children. 

Millie (Mildred Ann (Salyers) Davis)

Born February 22, 1949 in Grundy, VA.  She passed away at 73 years of age on Tuesday, December 27, 2022 at her home with her family by her side. Millie was of Pentecostal faith, a devoted Christian, and attended Word Evangelist Outreach Church. She was a former employee of D & K Burks as a bookkeeper, attended Southwest Virginia Community College, the University of North Carolina and the University of Florida where she earned her Masters Degree in Psychology. She loved working in her flower gardens, entertaining, traveling with her family and friends and joining her husband in playing competitive card games. She was a loving wife, sister, sister-in-law and aunt.

Shirl (Shirley May (Saylers) Stiltner)

Born on January 29, 1937 in War, West Virginia. She passed away at 83 years of age on April 19, 2020 at St. Vincent Mercy Medical Center in Toledo, Ohio. On February 21, 1959 she married Charlie Stiltner, who resides in Defiance. Shirley was a member of First Assembly of God in Defiance. She worked for several years as a bookkeeper for Arnold Haviland Company. Shirley enjoyed reading, playing Sudoku, and was a prayer warrior.

Ella (Ella Elizabeth (Salyers) Edwards)

Born April 26, 1939 in Grundy, Virginia. She passed away at 80 years of age on April 2, 2020 at her home.  In 1956 she married Johnny Kendrick Edwards, who preceded Ella in death in 2011. Together they raised five children. Ella was known as Mimi by all of her grandchildren and many others. Ella held God’s word close to her heart and loved to sing his praises.

Fun Fact: Ella was well known for her vibrant lipstick that she often wore, the family often joked that you would never see her without it.

Family Life and Faith

John and Peggy moved frequently while residing in Defiance, however; One location of note was on Banner school Road, Defiance OH.

Peggy attended Faith Tabernacle Pentecostal Church in Defiance. She formerly owned and operated Lighthouse Motel in Carolina Beach, NC.

Peggy never met a stranger and would pray for anyone in need. She always talked about God's goodness and His miracles. She was always uplifting, had a positive attitude, and always believed in living “one day at a time”. 

Fun fact: Peggy would often sing an abbreviated version of the song “Yes Lord, Yes” while cooking in the kitchen.

Peggy and John can be seen in the living quarters of their motel. (Pictured Right).

In the two pictures to the right Peggy can be seen in one of the Cochran family homes taking care of one of her daughters (Pictured Right).

Updated 11-26-25 to add "The Salyers Sisters" Section