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Local Ministry

Deborah Award

The national Women's Ministries department has given the Deborah award to Leah Cochran. The Deborah award is given to a woman who has shown outstanding leadership or courage in time of crisis; valiancy in the saving of a life; or displayed spiritual fortitude and outstanding attitude under adverse circumstances, such as loss of sight, loss of bodily member or permanent handicap. Since establishing this award in 1999, six women have been recognized.

Leah Cochran was helping her younger siblings with their schoolwork on Thursday, November 20, 2003, when Joanna, her 7-year-old sister, came running into the house screaming.

Their outdoor shed was on fire, and Johnnie, their 4-year-old brother was trapped inside. Leah, 23, put down her own 9-month-old daughter and ran to the shed to find it in flames. She attempted to enter the shed three different times to rescue her brother. The third time, she found him and pulled him out of the shed. He had been horribly burned. Placing him in a bathtub of cold water, she waited for the paramedics and fire department to arrive on the scene.

The firemen extinguished the fire and air-lifted Johnnie to the regional medical center in Memphis, Tennessee. They also took Leah to the medical center. Johnnie sustained burns to over 95 percent of his body. The only part of Johnnie's body not truly burned was his midsection where his dog, Max, had lain on him and protected him. The dog did not survive the fire. Leah had burns on both hands, wrists, face, ears and parts of her back.

Finally, in the early morning hours of November 21, Johnnie was considered stable enough to be flown to the burn center in Galveston, Texas. Leah was released from the hospital the day after the accident.

For more than 12 weeks, Johnnie had approximately one skin graft done per week. Johnnie's unburned midsection was the key to the skin grafts. The doctors consider him a miracle child for surviving the fire. They contribute his overall healing to his sister who was willing to risk her own life to save him, as well as the support of his mother and father during the healing process. Johnnie will have many obstacles to overcome in his future, including reconstructive surgeries to his face and hands.

Although Leah endured incredible pain and many weeks of therapy, her positive attitude and outlook have been an inspiration to everyone around her. Leah was unable to hold her 9-month-old baby for several weeks, but thanks to a loving and supportive family she endured the separation and anxiety caused by time away from her daughter. Skin grafts have also been performed to Leah's hands and wrists. It is still difficult for her to even pick up a cup with her left hand.

An incredible role model to her church, family and friends throughout this process, Leah has been interviewed many times in past months and repeatedly gives glory to Jesus Christ. A young woman, Leah Andra Quinn Cochran, is a person who risked her life to save another. She is a true hero.

The outward effect of this incident may be visible, but Leah's inner spirit encompasses the true meaning of John 15:13, "Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends." She was willing to lay down her own life for John Daniel Quinn on November 20, 2003.