Joseph "Joe" Cotten Jr.

Formerly of Newburgh, NY

Joseph "Joe" Cotten, Jr., went to receive his Heavenly reward on Monday, July 27, 2009. He passed at Cape Fear Valley Hospital in Fayetteville, NC.

Bro, as he was often referred to by his loving siblings, was born on November 4, 1936 in Bethel, NC to the late Joseph and Carrie Dell Cotten, Sr.

Joe received his education through the Bethel Public School system and began working at the age of 8 to help support his family. When he was 20 years old he relocated to Newburgh, NY. At the age of 21 Joe met Susanna "Sue" Baldwin. On January 31, 1958 the loving couple was joined together in holy matrimony. For over 51 years he was a devoted, thoughtful and loving husband. Several times a day he would tell Sue, he loved her and thanked her for always taking such good care of him. Through their marriage, Joe and Sue raised 7 of their own children and a host of "adopted" kids and family. If they would help anyone in need.

Despite having to leave high school early to support his family, Joe self educated himself, obtained his GED and other continuing education certificates from Orange County Community College. In doing so, Joe worked his way up into management at the Penny Bag Plant in Newburgh, NY, where he worked for 15 years. He went on to be a Plant Manager at a high speed production plant (Reynolds Aluminum Metal in Middletown, NY) for 25 years.

In December of the 2000 Joe and Sue retired to Elizabethtown, NC. Joe joined Pleasant Hill Holiness Church where he committed his life to the Lord. Almost every morning Joe would enjoy breakfast and socializing at Driftwood Grill. Often, he would eat with his buddy. Eddie, who is also his brother-in-law. Upon returning, Joe would sit at the dinning room table to read a scripture, say a prayer and read the news paper. This was his daily routine.

In addition to his loving wife, Sue; Joe leaves to cherish his memory seven children: James Howard of Newburgh, Brenda "Joyce" Murry of Elizabethtown, NC, Joseph "Joe" Cotten, III (Tracey) of Elizabethtown, NC, Andrea "Angie" Brown of Elizabethtown, NC, Carlotta "Lois" Cotten of Elizabethtown, NC, Deidre "Dee-Dee" Cotten of Newburgh, and Nathaniel "Chris" Cotten of Elizabethtown, NC; three sisters: Helen Barnes of Baltimore, MD, Pauline Cotten-Bell of New York, NY and Linda Whitley of New Haven, CT; three brothers: William "Bill" Cotten of Bethel, NC, twins, Timothy and Tomathy Cotten of New Haven, CT; in-laws: Katherine (Edward) Autry of Elizabethtown, NC, Ella Strokes, Ruth Johnson and Richard Baldwin, all of Newburgh, NY; 21 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren; a loving host aunts, nieces, nephews, many other relatives and dear friends. He was preceded in death by two sister, Shirley Staton and Elsie Bright; one brother, Curtis Cotten; parents-in-law: Early and Mamie Baldwin; brother-in-law, Earl Lee Baldwin.

Visitation will be Thursday, August 6, from 5-7 p.m. at the Mt. Carmel Church of Christ Disciples of Christ, 1524 Route 300, Newburgh, NY.

Service will follow at 7 p.m. at the church, with Elder Thermond Herring, officiating. Interment will be Friday, August 7, at 10 a.m. at the Cedar Hill Cemetery, Middlehope, NY.

Rhodes Funeral Home, 259 Walsh Ave., New Windsor, NY; 845-569-1233.