Cora Ann Markgraf

Cora Ann Markgraf passed from this life on October 15, 2022, to live forever with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Cora was born on February 10, 1927, in Orange County, North Carolina, to Herbert and Lillie (Roach) Bradshaw. She grew up in North Carolina and, through working on the family farm, learned the value of dedication to family and working hard at every task until its completion. She met the love of her life and future husband, Bill Markgraf, at the Antioch Baptist Church in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, while Bill was enrolled at the University of North Carolina. They married on August 2, 1945, and then moved to Midland, Texas, where Bill took a job as a geologist in the oil patch. She invested her adult life in caring for her family, serving at Crestview Baptist Church, and worked in accounting at Windecker Industries.

Cora was a picture of God’s grace and patience. She was a very strong, independent, determined person who was often described as tough because of her reaction to and attitude towards life’s circumstances she faced. No matter what came her way, she endured and kept pressing on with a determined attitude. She always had a project going around the house.  She and Bill added on to their house three times and did most of the work themselves.  Although she was a quiet person, she was creative, witty, and fun to be around. She was a selfless and giving woman of God. Not only did she help others financially, she would do without in order to have the means to help someone in need. She treated people with love and respect, and it was often said that she didn’t have a mean bone in her body.

She loved her family immensely and was always involved in the lives of her children, grandchildren, and in-laws. She attended many Girl Scout camps, band and choir concerts, gymnastics meets, baseball, soccer and basketball games, and graduations. She was a tireless caregiver to her cherished husband, Bill, for the 20-plus years that he lived with Parkinson’s Disease. While her family described her as a saint for the loving manner in which she accomplished this, Cora herself simply said it was her pleasure. Cora and Bill were the embodiment of a loving union.

Cora was a charter member of Crestview Baptist Church in Midland, Texas.  She was a faithful, giving, and dedicated member. She loved to invite others to join her at church and also served in the children’s area for over 50 years. She depended on God and used His Word to help her in all of life’s circumstances. She left behind an example of how to walk faithfully with God.

Cora is survived by son Bill Markgraf and wife Connie, son Jim Markgraf and wife Stephanie, and daughter Debbie Cramer and husband Scott.  She is also survived by grandchildren Kari Hupka and husband John, Brian Cramer and wife Denise, Jeff Cramer and wife Maegan, and Jon Michael and Christopher Markgraf; great-grandchildren Hunter Cramer, Carson and Landry Cramer, Jake and Adalee Cramer, and Luke and Liam Hupka; and sisters Bettie Clark and Jane Seitter. Cora was preceded in death by husband Bill Markgraf, parents Herbert and Lillie Bradshaw, and brothers Lewis, Brad, Bill, and Hendrick Bradshaw.

The family will receive friends from 5:00-7:00 p.m. on Friday, October 21, 2022, at Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home in Midland. A memorial service will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 23, 2022, at Crestview Baptist Church in Midland, Texas.

The family would like to express their gratitude to Legacy Ranch and Interim Hospice for their love and care.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Children’s Ministry at Crestview Baptist Church, Midland.

Arrangements are under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home and Crematory of Midland. Online condolences may be made at www.npwelch.com.

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