Herbert Stuart Cotton Sr.

COLUMBIA - Herbert Stuart Cotton, Sr., 89, died July 11, 2011, at his home in Columbia. Born in Eastover, he was a son of the late John Lawrence and Mary Adele Harmon Cotton. He graduated from Lower Richland High School in 1939 and received his bachelor's degree from Clemson University in 1943. After his discharge from the U.S. Army in 1945, Mr. Cotton worked for 30 years in civil service. He retired from the Veterans Administration Regional Office in Columbia, having been recognized as Outstanding Federal Employee in 1966.

A loyal Clemson fan, he remained involved with the university throughout his life through the alumni association and athletics â€' seldom missing a game. He served his community faithfully and was a charter member (1960) and former officer of the Lower Richland Ruritan Club, also holding official positions at the regional and national levels of the organization. His many hobbies included woodworking, genealogy, hunting and fishing.

His life was centered around his faith, family, friends. A member of Greenlawn Baptist Church for over 60 years, he served in many capacities including Sunday School teacher and superintendent and deacon. And, nothing pleased him more than to have all of his family around him. He was a model husband, father and grandfather. Preserving his family heritage was very important to him. He carefully documented the family genealogy and recorded family stories in his book |italic class=character displayname=italic name=italicCotton Talescci:italic.

Surviving Mr. Cotton are his beloved wife of 67 years, Edna S. Cotton, sons, Herbert S. Cotton, Jr. (Karen) of North Charleston, John W. Cotton (Debie) of Simpsonville, and David A. Cotton (Susan) of Sumter, daughters, Nancy Johnson (Ron) of Cayce, and Mary Hubble (Bob) of Columbia, grandchildren, Steven (Heather) and Jeff (Stacy) Cotton of Seattle, WA, Wes Cotton of Aberdeen, NC, Amy Berryman (Andy) of Holly Springs, NC, Stuart Johnson of Greenville, Bill Hubble (Melissa) of Sumter, Kate Hubble of Columbia, and Stefanie, Jared and Jacob Cotton of Sumter, and five great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister, Mary Lawrence Bell of Orangeburg, and brother, John Edwin Cotton of Columbia. He was predeceased by his sister, Eloise, and brother, Robert Cotton of Eastover.

The family will receive visitors on Thursday evening from 6:00 to 8:00 at Greenlawn Funeral Home. Mr. Cotton's funeral service will be held Friday, July 15, at 2:00 at Greenlawn Baptist Church with burial following in Greenlawn Cemetery. His grandsons will serve as pallbearers, and the Pat Patrick Sunday School Class and the Lower Richland Ruritan Club will be honorary pallbearers. Memorials may be made to Greenlawn Baptist Church. www.GreenlawnMemorialParkandFH.com