October 1, 1925 – September 28, 2024
Nancy Bruce Kauffman Cotten, 98, passed away on September 28, 2024 in Greenville, Ohio. She was born on October 1, 1925 in Green Bay, Virginia. She graduated from Petersburg High School In 1943 and received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Mary Washington College in Virginia in 1948. She was married to Walter J. Cotten, Jr. in 1949 and they lived for many years in Springfield – Donnelsville, Ohio area before spending her final years in Greenville, Ohio.
Nancy was a long-time member of Bethel Baptist Church in Springfield, Ohio, where she founded Joy Nursery School. Teaching preschoolers brought her great joy.
She is survived by her brother Joseph Kauffman of Ringgold, Georgia; and four children: Peggy Colson of Lexington, Kentucky; Richard Cotten (Susan) of Madison, Wisconsin; Barbara Menke (Tom) of Greenville, Ohio; and Vicky Merkle (Jon) of Kettering, Ohio. She is also survived by 8 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband Walter J. Cotten Jr., brothers Harry Kauffman of Tunnel Hill, Georgia and Houston Kauffman of Ft. Worth, Texas and sister Ruth Tacy of Woodbine, lowa, son-in-law Guy Colson of Lexington, Kentucky and grandson Robert “Bob” Menke of Versailles, Ohio.
She will be laid to rest beside her husband in Blandford Cemetery in Petersburg, Virginia. Arrangements have been entrusted to Zechar Bailey Funeral Home, Greenville, Ohio.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.zecharbailey.com for the Cotten family.