Kayla Hope Cockerton

Kayla Hope Cockerton, 24, of Newton, died Tuesday, June 12, 2018, in Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, Fla. The family will greet friends from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday, June 30 at the Newton Church of the Way with a short prayer service at the end of the visitation. Memorials to Kayla’s family may be left at the church the day of the visitation or at the Wallace Family Funeral Home and Crematory.

Kayla, the daughter of Kirk and Tammy (Gull) Cockerton, was born April 23, 1994, in Grinnell. She grew up in many areas of Iowa, attending high school in Marengo, before receiving her GED at DMACC. Kayla was a long time employee at Trinity Towers in Newton, and had most recently been working at the Newton Church of the Way and Integrity Cleaners. She brought a smile and kind heart with her every day to work and could be heard encouraging her co-workers. Kayla was recently baptized and became a member of the Newton Church of the Way. She also was active in the Newton City Softball League.

Kayla was known for her big personality and contagious laugh. Her upbeat spirit was most memorable and her love for God was evident. Kayla loved children and truly enjoyed spending time with her siblings. She also liked fishing, biking and being out in the sun.

Kayla is survived by her parents, Kirk (Julie) Cockerton of Newton and Tammy (Charles) Flowers of Cedar Rapids; siblings, Joe Cockerton, Blake Cockerton, Lucas Cockerton, Callie Cockerton, Dakota Floyd, Desirae Shelton and Malaki Floyd; her paternal grandfather, Robert “Bob” Cockerton; uncle, Chris Gull; and two aunts, Julie (Steven) Ostdiek and Carol Gull. She was preceded in death by her paternal grandmother, Hope Cockerton; maternal grandparents, Otto and Mary Gull; her uncle, Kevin Gull; and aunt, Theresa Cockerton.