Edwin L. Cockrell, 69, actively engaged in Washington and nearby Virginia real estate activities for more than 35 years, died at Emergency Hospital Satuirday after a brief illness. Mr Cockrell, who lived at the Clifton Terrace apartments was also president and owner of the Orkney Springs Hotel, at Orkney Springs, Va.

Born in Prince William County, Va., Mr. Cockrell lived in Alexandria much of his life. He is survived by his widow, Mrs. Elizabeth McKnew Cockrell. The funeral was held Tuesday at the Hines Funeral Home, Washington, with burial in Prince William County.

Mr. Cockrell was a frequent Woodstock visitor during the summer seasons, when Orkney is opened for guests, and for a number of years, he had been connected with this famous Virginia resort. Under his ownership and management, many improvements were made at the resort, and the guests at the large hotel came from all over the East.

He was especially well and favorably known in the Orkney section of Shenandoah County, where news of his death was received with a shock.