Obituaries

Marilyn Joy Cotten

Marilyn Joy Cotten went to be with the Lord on Oct. 27, 2015. She was 91 years young. Joy was preceded in death by her husband of 74 years earlier this year, Billy Dalton Cotten, their daughter Deborah Harrison and her parents, Jim and Ina Bacon. She leaves behind three sons, Charles (Bonnie) Cotten, Larry (Jane) Cotten, and Martin (Christy) Cotten, and one daughter, Pat (Lynn) Phillips, 12 grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren, and three great-great-grandchildren. Joy was a member of the "greatest generation" keeping the home fires burning and caring for their two children at the time while helping with the war effort while her husband, Bill, was fighting the enemy in the South Pacific during World War II. She only had an 8th grade education, but instilled in her children a love of learning and reading and getting a good education. She led by example and at the age of 53 obtained her high school equivalency which made the family proud. She was a servant leader everywhere she lived and took on many projects others wouldn't do. She volunteered at various nursing homes and hospitals wherever she lived and could be seen reading and taking books to shut-ins. She was the backbone of the family, supporting her husband and all her children in their many and varied activities especially when it came to baking and cooking for events. She was loved and respected wherever she went and whatever she did. Her children all referred to her as, "the world's greatest mom!" All her grandchildren and great-grandchildren would echo the same sentiment. They all loved to come to Granny Joy's and Papa Bill's! She was the bedrock of the family and deeply loved by all of them. She will be missed by family and the many friends she made over the years! A memorial service will be held at the Rollins Funeral Home Chapel, 1401 W. Hudson Rd, Rogers, Ark. at 11 a.m. on Saturday, November 28th. Interment will be at the Fort Smith National Cemetery at 11 a.m. on Monday, November 30th. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that any memorials or contributions be made to Circle of Life NWA Hospice Care or to the Alzheimer's Association or to the charity of your choice. Cremation arrangements are by Rollins Funeral Home of Rogers. www.RollinsFuneral.com.

Published November 22, 2015

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