Dorothy D. Cotton
FRANKLIN—Dorothy Darden Cotton, 88, widow of Russell B. Cotton, died at home Dec. 31, 2008.
Born in Southampton County, she was the daughter of the late Sallie Lankford and Hunter Darden.
She was valedictorian of the 1937 class of Franklin High School, attended Mary Washington College, and became the first secretary in the Sales Department of what was then Chesapeake-Camp Corporation.
Mrs. Cotton was a member of Sycamore Baptist Church and a founder of Southampton Academy.
During her life she was involved in her church, area schools and other organizations.
Survivors include her daughter, Patricia (Patsy) Cotton Falls and husband, Frank; her son, Russell Darden Cotton and fiancé, Judy Bailey; four dearly loved grandchildren, Douglas Frank Falls and wife Stephanie, Patricia Falls Davis and husband Ben, William Russell Cotton and Ashley Jean Cotton, and four treasured great-grandchildren, Ansley Reid Thomas, Katherine Patricia Davis, Ethan Frank Falls, and Benjamin Holmes Davis; a brother, Hunter Darden Jr. and wife Jean and two sisters-in- law, Pearl Darden and Lucy Darden.
She was sister of the late Louise D. Vaughan. Harvey Darden. Thomas I. Darden, and Charles B. Darden,
The funeral was to be conducted at 3 p.m. Saturday at Sycamore Baptist Church by the Rev. Dr. Roger Crump and the Rev. Dr. Reginald Warren.
Burial was to follow in Poplar Springs Cemetery in Franklin.
The family will receive friends at her home, 30051 Smiths Ferry Road, and requests that in lieu of flowers, memorial donations be made to Sycamore Baptist Church Gifts and Memorial Fund, 31120 Sycamore Church Road, Franklin, VA 23851.
Wright Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Condolences may be offered at www.wrightfuneralhome.org.