Harry Gene Cothran, 89, went to his Heavenly home on Sunday, October 12, 2014 following a brief illness.
Funeral service will be held today, Tuesday October 14 at 1pm at Crestwood Chapel and Funeral Home. Bro. Garth Forrester, Barnesville, Georgia, is officiating. Crestwood Funeral Home will direct service.
Mr. Cothran was born December 21, 1924, to Bill and Evie Cothran in the Alexis Community of Cherokee County and had lived most of his life in East Gadsden and Hokes Bluff. He married his high school sweetheart, Melba Collins, in 1945 and would have celebrated 70 years of marriage next April. He worked in supervision at Goodyear 41 years, was a Shriner and life member of the Glencoe Masonic Lodge, and was a Scout leader for many years. Mr. Cothran was a member of Calvary Baptist Church for 46 years and more recently was a member of Hokes Bluff Baptist Church, where he served as a deacon, Men's Adult Sunday School leader, and was an active member of Hokes Bluff Senior Friends.
Mr. Cothran was an avid golfer and belonged to the Goodyear Golf Club for over 68 years, playing almost every week until it closed.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Bill and Evie Cothran; son, William Craig Cothran; brothers, Jack W. Cothran and Paul E. Cothran; and sister Billie Faye Pruitt.
He is survived by his wife Melba; daughters Celeste Cedarholm (Jeff) and Susan Cothran, Knoxville, Tennessee; Sister Maxine Cothran Duke, Huntsville; grandchildren Katie Cedarholm Lewallen (Daniel), Jessica Cedarholm Michaud (Jeremy), and William Craig Cothran II (Samantha); 4 great grandchildren; sister in law Nancy Collins Dewitt (Bob) Huntsville; several nieces and nephews; and special friend Elizabeth Wright, Knoxville, Tennessee.
Pallbearers will be David McCord, Tim Franklin, Bill Fry, Jack Phillips, Gene Gossett, Gary Bolton, and Jim Gidley.
Honorary pallbearers are special friend Bobby Pope, the 31st Division Breakfast Club, River Trace Golf Club Members, and Bill Street Sunday School Class, Hokes Bluff First Baptist Church.
The family wishes to express its sincere appreciation to Dr. Steve Sanders and staff, Drs. Prime, Bennett and Kaleem, and the SICU and 8th Floor nurses and staff of Gadsden Regional Medical Center.
In Lieu of flowers, Memorials may be sent to Hokes Bluff First Baptist Building Fund or John Croyle Big Oak Ranch.
The family will receive friends at the funeral today from 11 AM until 1PM, prior to the service at Crestwood Chapel.