Paige Cothren

1935 - 2016

Paige Cothren
HOUSTON - Paige Cothren entered the presence of his Lord and Savior in Tupelo on September 1, 2016, following a brief illness. He was born July 12, 1935 to Hilda Poole Cothren and Wallace Cothren. He grew up in the Homochitto community of Amite county Mississippi as well as Natchez, Mississippi. He graduated from Natchez High in 1953. His mother was a sibling of the well-known ""Poole"" brothers, so he was pleased to attend Ole Miss and play football there, graduating in 1957 with a degree in business. While at Ole Miss, he was a gifted and hard-working football player, who aided the team's success in the mid-1950's, which included back to back SEC championships.
At Ole Miss, Paige was a versatile offensive and defensive player during the ""both ways"" days. He was a kicker, fullback (winning the Jacob's blocking trophy in 1955), linebacker, and cornerback. In 1955, he led the SEC in scoring as well as in kick-scoring. He was also named a two time All American during his years with the Rebels.
After college, he was drafted by the Los Angeles Rams. In 1957 he was 100% in point after kicks and in 1958 led the NFL in field goals and field goal percentage. He also played for the Philadelphia Eagles and in 1967 was the first player signed by the new franchise, the New Orleans Saints. For more on his football career, see the article at olemisssports.com.
He married the late Foy Taylor of Eupora, Mississippi in 1957. Then, after his time with the Rams and Eagles, he opened several Piggly Wiggly grocery stores in North Mississippi. After coming to faith in Christ, he moved his family to Memphis to pursue a degree in Bible, eventually earning a Master of Biblical Studies from Dallas Theological Seminary in Dallas, TX in 1977.
He worked both privately and on church staffs as a Christian and biblical counselor helping many with the difficulties in their lives. Along the way he wrote numerous books for that purpose as well as others. He was a frequent speaker in churches as far away as Australia. He led Bible studies and even helped on mission trips to a closed-Cuba. In June of this year, for pleasure, he and his wife, Daisy, visited Alaska, which was his 50th state to see.
Funeral Services for Paige Cothren will be 3 p.m. Sunday, September 4, 2016 at Houston First Baptist Church with Rev. Jay Cothren, Bro. Bill Poole and Dr. Daniel Heeringa officiating. Burial will follow at French Camp Cemetery, French Camp, Mississippi.
Paige Cothren is survived by wife, Daisy Yarbrough of Houston, Mississippi; daughter, Fran Cothren Woody (the late Rick Woody) of Knoxville, Tennessee; son, Jay Cothren (Julie) of Collierville, Tennessee; step-sons, Phil Yarbrough (Felicia) of Jackson and Scott Yarbrough (Mary) of Nashville, Tennessee; grandchildren, Brad Hubbard (Heidi), Jared Hubbard (Megan), Mary Catherine Herman (Steve), Corbin Cothren, and Aidan Cothren; step-grandchildren, Elizabeth Yarbrough, Rebecca Yarbrough, Taylor Yarbrough, and Blake Yarbrough; nine great-granchildren; sister, Wanda Cothren Orr (Donald) of Vaiden, Mississippi; nephew, Brent Orr and niece, Stanci Bond (Chris); and his devoted aunt, Wanda Poole of Oxford, Mississippi.
Visitation will be Sunday, September 4, 2016 at Houston First Baptist Church from 1 p.m. until 3 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Dallas Theological Seminary, Ole Miss Athletics, French Camp Academy, or First Baptist Church, Houston, Mississippi.