DITCHLEY—Hettie Virginia Abbott Cockrell Hughlett, 93, of Ditchley went to be with her Lord and Savior on August 6, 2023, at the age of 93.
Hettie was born in Weems on August 11, 1929, to the late Evans Vesten Abbott and Hettie Estelle Davis Abbott.
She was predeceased by her husbands, Edward D. “Billy Buck” Cockrell Sr. and Walter M. “Buddy”Hughlett Jr.; her parents; brother, Eugene Abbott (Bertha); and her sister, Lavinia Lee (Braxton).
Left to cherish Hettie’s memory are her son, Edward D. “Eddie” Cockrell Jr. and his wife, Janet; a sister, Helen Abbott Trigor and her husband, Bernard; two grandchildren, Ashley D. Cockrell and Travis L. Cockrell; three great-grandchildren, Kiptyn Cockrell, Briar Cockrell and Matthew Cockrell; and many nieces and nephews.
She spent her early married life on the island of Guam working for the government, while her husband Billy Buck, was stationed there in the U.S. Navy. Not long after returning to the states their son Eddie was born. Through the following years she enjoyed raising their son, visiting with family and friends and working in local businesses while Eddie was in school.
Later in life, she met Buddy and began working in his seafood business, doing payroll, delivering oysters and making new friends. She and Buddy retired and spent winters in Florida and summers in Ditchley. She loved Florida but always said, “Ditchley is my home.”
Hettie was a devoted Christian and a member of Claybrook Baptist Church. Hettie spent her final years in her Ditchley home overlooking Lawrence Cove on Dividing Creek, looking forward to weekend visits with her grandchildren, great-grand children, family and friends.
A private graveside service was held at Clifton Ridge Cemetery at 2 p.m. Saturday, September 9. The Reverend Neale Schools officiated the service.
In lieu of flowers, donate to the Animal Welfare League, P.O. Box 975, White Stone, VA 22578.
Currie Funeral Home LLC of Kilmarnock handled the arrangements.