Betty Lauderdale Cothron age 92 died August 21, 2026, in Murfreesboro, TN. She was a native of Hartsville, TN and was preceded in death by her husband of 72 years, Kenneth Cothron who died in 2024. Her parents, Alfred Lauderdale and Ethel Harper Laurderdale, sister, Mary Elizabeth Harris.
Mrs. Cothron was a member of Kingwood Church of Christ. She was a 1952 graduate of Trousdale County High School and graduated from University of Chattanooga in 1965. Mrs. Cothron and her husband lived in Cheyenne, Wyoming, Chattanooga, Cottage Grove, Minnesota, Plano, Texas, and Murfreesboro. She taught at East Brained Elementary in Chattanooga, and The Bright School in Chattanooga. Mrs. Cothron was involved in American Association of University Women, she had worked for Atlantic Richfield Company in Dallas, Texas. Mrs. Cothron was a 4-H Club, Tennessee Representative in Washington, DC in her youth.
She is survived by her daughters, Phyllis Kittle, Sherrie Gilliam and husband David; brother, Alex Lauderdale; grandchildren Michael Kittle, Elizabeth Gilliam Womack, Caroline Gilliam Carothers; great-grandchildren; Alex, and Soren Kittle, Abigail Alan, and Ansley Carothers.
In lieu of flowers memorials may made to St. Marks United Methodist Begin Again Box Ministry or Red Bird Christmas Ministry.
Visitation will be Friday, August 28th 4:00PM to 6:00PM at Woodfin Memorial Chapel. Graveside service will be Saturday, August 29th 10:00AM at Old Hartsville Cemetery. Dr. Jim Clardy will officiate. www.woodfinchapel.com
