Sokira, BeverlyBeverly Sokira, 92, of Corning, New York, passed away on September 18, 2017, at Absolut Care at Three Rivers.Beverly was born on October 2, 1925. She grew up in Painted Post, New York, and graduated from Painted Post High School. While there, she was active in the high school music program, playing clarinet in the marching band and singing in the high school choral group. After graduating from high school, she attended Fredonia State Teacher's College, majoring in vocal music where she met and married her husband of 61 years, Charles "Ben" Sokira.While raising three children and being active in the Junior Women's Club, Beverly decided to complete her college degree. She was accepted at Mansfield State Teacher's College where she majored in Elementary Education. On September 1, 1968, she accepted a third grade position at Winfield Elementary School in the Corning-Painted Post School District. This began a long, successful, and very rewarding career. On July 1, 1990, Beverly retired from her sixth grade position at Corning Free Academy.Beverly loved every aspect of her teaching career. It did not matter whether she was teaching third graders or sixth graders, she loved preparing lessons, coming up with new ideas, and finding unique ways to help students learn. She enjoyed working with her colleagues, and over the course of her career, developed lifelong friendships. She continued those friendships beyond retirement enjoying weekly luncheons, shopping dates, and traveling. She looked forward to her yearly trips to New York City where she met and spent time with a former student teacher and friend. Throughout her life, Beverly found opportunities to continue her love of music. She learned to play the guitar, enjoyed going to the opera in Binghamton, attended Civic Music Concerts, and sang each season with the Corning Philharmonic Chorus. Until 2011, she also sang with the First Congregational Church Choir.Beverly is survived by her three children; Cathy (Charles) Hogan, Michael Sokira, and Vincent (Sally) Sokira; four grandchildren, Brian Hogan, Erin (David) Oldfield, Jason (Kristen) Sokira, and Myia (Karl) Smith; seven great grandchildren; Kerrigan, Joseph, Victoria, Caitlyn, and Jacob Hogan, and Abigail and Tristan Copp; along with several nieces and nephews.Beverly was preceded in death by her husband, Charles "Ben" Sokira; parents, Franklin and Florence Cross; sisters, Florence Miller, Georgia "Dodie" Cross, Betty Rogerson, and Cheryl Slocum.Calling hours will be held at Carpenter's Funeral Home, on Thursday, September 21, 2017 from 6:00-8:00 PM. The funeral service will be held on Friday, September 22, 2017 at 9:00 AM at St. Mary's Cemetery, Park Avenue, Corning. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to the Southeast Steuben Library, 300 Civic Center Plaza, Corning, NY 14830