Russell Eugene Cothran, age 86, went to be with his Lord on Saturday, June 20, 2015 at Maury Regional Medical Center.
Russell was born on May 19, 1929 in Maury County, Tennessee to the late Clarence Cothran and Lela Russell Cothran. Russell married Miss. Lucy Clark on December 30, 1951 and the two shared sixty three beautiful years together. He proudly served his country that he loved dearly in the United States Army during the Korean War. Russell worked at Monsanto Chemical Company for thirty-three years before retiring in 1986. He was a hardworking man and taught those he worked with and his family how to work hard. Not only did he teach others how to work hard, but he also demonstrated how to be a person of principle and upstanding morals. He was a strong Christian man and a member of Loyal Chapel Freewill Baptist Church. Russell was very friendly and wherever he went he either knew someone or made a friend; he never knew a stranger. Russell could fix anything, from broken appliances, to cars, to shoes; his grandkids said, “give it to Papa he can fix it” and he did. He was an outdoorsman and loved to hunt and fish. Just last month, Russell was able to venture to Branson, Missouri with his wife, daughters, and sons-in- law, who had become like his own sons. They all cherish that time they were able to spend together. Above all Russell was a beloved husband, father, father-in-law, Papa, uncle, and friend.
The family will visit with friends on Monday, June 22, 2015 from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. and on Tuesday, June 23, 2015 from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. at Williams Funeral Home in Columbia, Tennessee. Funeral services to celebrate Russell’s life will be held on Tuesday, June 23, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. in the Chapel of Williams Funeral Home with Bro. Steve Swango officiating. Burial will follow at Arlington Cemetery in Mt. Pleasant, Tennessee.
Russell is survived by his loving wife Lucy Cothran of Columbia, Tennessee; daughters Sheila (Dwight) Nickell of Columbia, Tennessee and Vickie (Keith) Tucker of Pulaski, Tennessee; grandchildren Landon (Sarah) Nickell, Grant (Lindsay) Nickell, Paul Nickell, Bryan (Jessica) Tucker, and Sarah (Brandon) Babb; great-grandchildren Jack, Liam, Alisha, Alexis, Maggie, and Maylie; brother Billy Cothran; several nieces and nephews; and several great-nieces and great-nephews.
Russell was preceded in death by his parents Clarence and Lela Cothran; and brothers Jack, Albert, and Emory.
Pallbearers will be Landon Nickell, Grant Nickell, Paul Nickell, Bryan Tucker, Brandon Babb, Robert Cothran, Phil Clark, and Ronnie Cothran.
Honorary pallbearers will be the members from Loyal Chapel Freewill Baptist Church and the retirees of Monsanto Chemical Company.
The family would like to say a special thank you to the CCU of Maury Regional Medical Center.
Memorials can be made in honor of Russell to the America Heart Association.
Williams Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. Condolences may be shared with the family at www.williamsfh.com.
