Evalyn Clark Cottey

Evalyn Clark Cottey, widow of James Harold Cottey, Sr., and co-founder and officer of Ole South Foods Company-manufacturer of frozen foods, died December 27, 2019 at her home in Fayetteville at the age of 101. She was born in Fordyce, Ark., on November 2, 1918 and was the daughter of William Harvey Clark and Frances Chowning Clark. Evalyn lived in Stuttgart, Ark., from 1933-1937, where she was a member of the Delta Beta Sigma Sorority in High School. On October 30, 1937, Evalyn married James Harold Cottey and they moved to Little Rock, Ark., where Evalyn attended Draughon's School of Business. Reared in the Methodist Church, Evalyn was raised up in First United Methodist Church, Fordyce, Ark., where she and her family attended faithfully every Sunday and sat in the same pew together with her Grandfather Clark. She was also a member of First United Methodist Church, Stuttgart and First United Methodist Church, Little Rock. Even when Evalyn was unable to attend church on Sundays, she would watch a church service on the television. Mr. and Mrs. Cottey were Charter Members of St. James United Methodist Church in Little Rock where Evalyn was made a Life Trustee and Board Member, and served as a former assistant treasurer, building committee member, U.M.W. member with special mention, and on the board of the United Methodist Foundation. Evalyn was a devoted chaperone for the summer handbell conventions for over 20 years and was a member of the group at St. James that knitted prayer shawls for those in need and needle pointed knelling pew cushions for St. James and for Hendrix College Chapel. She was also a member of the Y.M.C.A. Board and Building Committee, the P.E.O. Sisterhood, Chapter DG, Fayetteville, Ark., and Gilbert Marshall Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Evalyn loved her family, her church, and God and would love to tell just about anybody that would listen about any of these three if given half the chance. She began every day by reading her Bible and a daily devotional from The Upper Room. She enjoyed watching and feeding birds, planting flowers, cooking and entertaining; although, she would rather cook than eat. Her reading consisted mostly of cookbooks. Evalyn also knitted baby blankets for all the little ones in the family. Evalyn is preceded in death by her grandson, John Cottey; daughter-in-law, Peggy Cottey; three sisters, Martha Myhand, Montine Ray and Mary Beth Snodgrass and great-grandson, Patrick Wood. Survivors include son, James H. Cottey, Jr. of Clinton, Ark., and daughter, Marilyn Williamson and her husband Ben of Fayetteville, Ark. Seven grandchildren Karen Bonner and husband Mark of Fayetteville, Ark., Chris Elder and wife Brenda of Springdale, Ark., Kathy Goins and husband, Roger of Van Buren, Ark., Kim Gammill and husband, Dan of Little Rock, Ark., Keri Mahan and husband, Brook of Mountain Home, Ark., Mark Cottey of Clinton, Ark., and Jami Wood and husband, Jeff of Greenwood, Ark. Great-grandchildren Nicole Skiles and husband Chris of Springdale, Ark.; Mark Andrew Bonner and wife, Megan of Fayetteville, Ark.; Matt Elder and wife, Sarah of Cave Springs, Ark.; Blake Elder of Fayetteville, Ark.; Justin Goins and wife, Maria of Alma, Ark.; Jonathan Goins and wife Brittany of Van Buren, Ark.; Kathryn Osburn and husband, Mitch of Van Buren, Ark.; Amanda Gammill of Starksville, Miss.; Elizabeth Gammill and Thomas Gammill of Little Rock, Ark.; Austin, Addison, Katelyn and Kamryn Mahan of Mountain Home, Ark.; Christopher Wood and wife, Patricia and Benjamin Wood and fiancé, Jerica Wallace of Greenwood, Ark. Great-great-grandchildren Brayden, Emma, Brody, Brock and Ellie Skiles; Jackson, Maeve, and Margot Elder; Sophie and Sadie Goins; Tatum and Sawyer Goins and Barrett Osburn, as well as a host of nieces, nephews and friends. Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m., Friday, January 10, 2020 at Ruebel Funeral Home, 6313 West Markham St., Little Rock, Ark., 72205. A funeral service will be held at noon, Saturday, January 11, 2020 at St. James United Methodist Church, 321 Pleasant Valley Dr, Little Rock, Ark., 72212 with The Rev. Carness Vaughan officiating. Burial will be at Forest Hills Memorial Park Cemetery in Alexander, Ark. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to: ST. JAMES UMC HANDBELL MINISTRY or ST. JAMES UMC ENDOWMENT FUND, 321 Pleasant Valley Dr., Little Rock, Ark., 72212. The online guest registry may be signed at ruebelfuneralhome.com.