Linda Jane Cotton, 85, of Chehalis, Washington, passed away on May 1, 2023.
Linda was born in her maternal grandparents’ home on Jan. 10, 1938, to Hazel and Foster Bruner in Springfield Missouri. Linda was raised in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and graduated from Will Rogers High School and upon graduation she worked at the Tulsa Telephone Company as an operator.
In 1954, she met the love of her life, Ken Cotton. As the story goes, she was late to class and so was her future husband when they collided with each other in the hallway, both running to get to class — that was the moment the planet shifted! They dated all through high school and married in December 1957. They had three children, Robert, Kennie Jr. and Kandi.
Linda was the middle of three sisters. Becky Sanders, her older sister, watched over and cared for her like a mother. Her younger sister, Carolyn Sparks, was the giggling little baby sister. She was very close to both sisters for her entire life. Both of her sisters reside in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma.
Ken and Linda had an evangelistic ministry for the first 10 years of their marriage. In 1973, they moved to Washington State and purchased their own church, which they named, “Old Camp Meeting Tabernacle Church” on Cherry Street in Centralia, Washington. This is where they settled, raised the kids and pastored for over 42 years.
Linda dedicated her life to being a fantastic mother and pastor's wife. She wore many hats: Sunday school teacher, Sunday school superintendent, making sure offerings were counted and recorded, ordering Sunday school curriculum and cleaning the church on the weekends preparing for Sunday services. She was available for any tasks that needed to be accomplished to make the church operate smoothly. She was Ken's right hand!
As for mothering, she was superior. She was selfless in every way. She made the house a home with her warmth, good food and organization. She was supportive of her children and her husband, in whatever endeavors they pursued.
She was a passionate gardener. She loved the beauty of a rose and had many beautiful rose bushes at all the properties they owned. She prided herself in her beautiful "state fair” worthy canned goods. Not to mention the amazing flavor packed in each beautiful jar!
Anyone who knew her knew she was an amazing cook and baker. She could put together a meal faster than most people could reheat leftovers! When it was time for a Sunday "potluck," people would start asking early to find out which dish she had made to make sure they served themselves that one FIRST!
Linda Cotton was predeceased by Ken Cotton Sr. She is survived by Ken Cotton Jr., Kandi (Cotton) Hancock, Robert Whitefield, Ray Storms, Mark Blurton, Billy Burleson and Magdelino Rangel.
The family requests that all flowers and notes be sent to Sticklin Funeral Chapel 1437 S. Gold St. Centralia, WA 98531. A funeral service will be held there Friday, May 5, with viewing from 10 a.m. to noon. A celebration of life memorial service starts at noon. Refreshments to follow.
