Frances Cotten

1932 - 2017

Frances Johnson Cotten

July 4, 1932 - July 4, 2017

Fuquay-Varina

Frances Cotten, 85 years young, died peacefully on her birthday at her home in the presence of all her cherished family. Frances will be remembered for her years of devotion to her family, her Hilltop community and Wake Chapel Christian Church.

Born on July 4, 1932, in the Harnett County community of Christian Light, she was the fifth child of W.A. and Lillian Johnson. She attended LaFayette High School and Hardbarger's Business College before beginning her employment with First Citizens Bank and later the State of NC in Natural Resources and Environmental Management. Frances enjoyed her many roles at Wake Chapel where she sang soprano in the choir for over 50 years, taught junior high boys in Sunday School and was involved on many church committees. She always had a smile on her face, enjoyed entertaining, taking vacations with her family, and traveling with friends on senior bus trips. Frances enjoyed her massive gardens from the farm by freezing, canning, and cooking with her family.

Frances is survived by her daughters, Susan Cotten Faircloth and husband, Steve of Wake Forest, and Holly Cotten Gardner, of Angier. She is also survived by her sister, Miriam J. Mitchell, of Virginia Beach, VA. She adored her four grandchildren, Chelsea Faircloth Williams and husband, Patrick , of Copenhagen, Denmark, Logan Faircloth, Austin Gardner and wife, Katy, and Ethan Gardner and wife, Tabitha. She cherished her great-grandchildren, Kinley Hope Williams and Graham Patrick Williams.

Frances is predeceased by her spouse, H. Briant Cotten, her son-in-law, Eddie Gardner, and her siblings, Doris McCauley, Joe Johnson, Bobby Johnson, and Tommy Johnson.

Funeral services are scheduled Saturday, July 8, 2017, at 11:00 am at Wake Chapel Christian Church. Visitation will be held one hour prior at the church. Visitors may also see the family at her home. Memorials may be made to the Wake Chapel Building Fund, 905 Wake Chapel Road, Fuquay-Varina, NC 27526. The family would like to thank all her wonderful caregivers at home and Carillon for their love and devotion to her and also our friends and family that supported us through 'Hopie's' journey these last few years.