Briant Cotten

Briant Cotten
July 9, 1923 - July 24, 2015
Fuquay-Varina
Briant Cotten, 92 years young, died peacefully into the Arms of the Lord, July 24th, at his home, surrounded by his loving family. Briant will be fondly remembered by his family and friends, for his service to the Lord, devotion to his family, and service to his country. His work ethic surpassed all others.
Born July 9, 1923, in Chatham County, he was the fifth of nine children born to Eldie R. and Lula Cotten. At a young age, the family moved to Varina, NC.
Briant graduated from Fuquay Springs High School and joined the Navy in 1944., serving in WWII in the Pacific. Four Cotten brothers served in the war at the same time, a proud moment for his mother.
The family began Cotten's Furniture Company in 1933, which they operated until 1988. He served his customers with honesty and a smile.
Briant joined Wake Chapel Church on August 8, 1934, and committed his life to the service of the Lord. He was the unofficial "face" of WCC. He served as a Deacon, Usher, Layman, Sunday School Superintendent, player/manager of the WCC Softball Team, Santa Claus, and Greeter. He had the uncanny ability to recall names and make each visitor feel welcomed. He cherished his Men's Sunday School Class and his Tuesday Morning Bible Study Group.
Briant was an avid baseball fan, especially the St. Louis Cardinals, enjoying this passion with other Cards supporters.
He is survived by his devoted wife, Frances Johnson Cotten. They married September 9, 1950. He has two daughters, Susan Cotten Faircloth, and husband, Steve, of Wake Forest, NC, and Holly Cotten Gardner, of Angier, NC. He adored his four grandchildren, Chelsea Faircloth Williams and husband, Patrick, Logan Faircloth, Austin Gardner, and Ethan Gardner. He cherished his great-granddaughter, Kinley Hope Williams.
Briant is predeceased by his parents, his son-in-law, Eddie Gardner, his brothers, Renno, Melvin, Benson, Bobby, Curtiss, and sisters, Arlee Holleman, and Delma Nicholson.
Funeral Services are Monday, July 27th, 2015 11:00 a.m., at Wake Chapel Church. Visitation is Sunday, from 2:00-7:00 p.m. at his home on 3128 North Main Street.
Memorials may be made to the Wake Chapel Building Fund or the Briant and Frances Cotten Christian Education Scholarship.