Charla Wilma Grace Cokewell Bright

February 28, 1947 - December 1, 2023

Charla Wilma Grace Cokewell Bright passed peacefully in her home in Maricopa, AZ , surrounded by family, on December 1, 2023.

She is survived by her 4 children, Heather Brimer, Kelly Heaton, Charles Bright and Karin Bright, her 2 son-in-laws, Scott Brimer and Curtiss Heaton and her daughter in-law Laura Bright, her brothers Steve and Mark Cokewell and sister Kimberly Brands. She had 15 grandchildren, Ryelee Ponce, Liz Ponce, Ethan Lathrop Heaton, Bridget Bebee, Andi Denton, Alex Bright, Gavin Bright, Stefanie Blackburn, Robert Blackburn, Jaime Brimer, Ronnie Heaton, Travis Heaton, Alyssa Heaton, Allison Heaton and Ethan Allen Heaton. She had 3 Great-Grandchildren, Sofie Blackburn, Crew Ponce and Harlow Ponce. She was preceded in death by her Spouse of 51 years, Cecil W. Bright, her parents, Robert T Cokewell and Dorothy Helen Youdan, and her sister, Laurie Yvonne Day.

She always said her greatest accomplishment was raising her children, and while they all agreed she was an outstanding mother, she was so much more than that. At the age of 38 she chose to go back to college and get her nursing degree. She worked in the ER, ICU, was a Flight Nurse and one of the first Oncology Nurses at Wyoming Medical Center. In 1996 she decided she wanted more in her career and went to Physician’s Assistant School at the University of Washington. She was the oldest member of her class at the age of 50, showing them all what one can accomplish at any age if you put your mind to it. After graduation, she became a Gastroenterology PA in Casper, WY and practiced until 2015, when she retired to be at home with her husband. She was an artist and dabbled in painting up until her death. She had a creative mind and was always creating something. She never stopped learning and at the age of 76, kept her PA license active and went back to school to get her medical coders license. She was an advocate for the rescue of animals and had 4 rescues at the time of her death, 2 dogs (Roxi and Buddy) and 2 cats (Indi and Abbi).

She was a lesson in “You never give up” and was a role model for all that knew her. She loved fishing, reading, learning new things, hiking, skiing, and spending time with family and friends.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to your local animal shelter or rescue group in her name.