Wanda Joyce Cottrell, of Rising Star, died peacefully on November 8, 2019, at Hendrick Medical Center in Abilene, TX at the age of 88.
She was born on July 27, 1931, in Duncan, Oklahoma to Hubert R. and Dillie M. (Wells) Yates. After her mother’s death at the age of two she was raised by her Uncle and Aunt, Joe, and Bertha (Yates) Lancaster. She attended Twin Oaks and Varnum Schools in Seminole, Oklahoma and while at Varnum she played Basketball and was Homecoming Queen for the class of 1950.
She married Elbert C. ‘Corky’ Cottrell on November 1, 1950, in Shawnee, Oklahoma.
She was a caring and loving Mother as well as a homemaker, caregiver and devoted Christian. She loved sports especially Basketball and Football and her favorite game was playing bingo. She enjoyed cooking goodies for the Law Enforcement Center in Brownwood and enjoyed going to their functions every year. She was a member of the May First Baptist Church where she volunteered for their “Team Kids” and “Food Distributions” Programs, and when she was able, she donated to the Lords Acre at First United Methodist Church in Cross Plains, TX. She had an uncanny sense of humor and wit that will be forever missed.
She is survived by two Sons, Richard Cottrell of Rising Star and Carl Cottrell
of Sierra Vista, AZ and one Daughter Jackie (Jerry) Turner of Victoria, TX;
four Grandchildren, Justin Cottrell (ID), Travis Cottrell (OK), Todd Cottrell
(TX), Pepper Turner (TX) and Seven G-Grandchildren and Two G-G-Grandchildren; Three Sister-in-laws, Dorothy (Coy) Hearin (TX), Bobbie (James) Beck (OK), Eva (Darrell) Ward (OK);and a Niece, Sherrie Wilder (AZ) and Seven other Nieces and Nine Nephews; Two Cousins, Lavon Ware (OK) and Ann Murdoch, Rising Star, TX, and many Friends from Baird, Cross Plains and Rising Star.
She was preceded in death by her Parents, Husband, and Son (Lonnie Cottrell), and two sisters and two Brothers.
The Family would like to Thank Hendrick Medical Center, Oak Ridge Manor and Rising Star Nursing and Rehab Center for the Compassion and Care given to their mother.
At her request her body was donated to Parker University in Dallas, TX for
Medical Research Study.
A Celebration of Life for Wanda will be held on Wednesday, April 10, 2024, at 2:00 PM at Davis-Morris Chapel of Brownwood, Texas.