05/05/2020

Obituary for Mary Lou Cotton

Funeral Director, President and Mother of Edward Curtis Cotton, Jr., both of Maple Cotton Funeral Home & Ambulance Service, Inc.

Mary Lou (Burcher) Cotton, 84, of Kensington, Ohio passed away at home in the arms of her loving family, after a courageous fight with cancer and into the open arms of her Heavenly Father. She was a community leader, businesswoman, Funeral Director and President of Maple Cotton Funeral Home & Ambulance Service, Inc. and Emergency Medical Technician-Basic. She received her first EMT certification in 1973. She received her Funeral Director license, May 18, 1988. Mary Lou was a member of the Ohio Funeral Directors Association, District 15 & 16. She was a former Past Worthy Matron of Pleasant Valley Chapter in Hanoverton, Ohio and member of the Carrollton Chapter of Eastern Stars. But above all else, she was a loving partner and wife to her husband, Edward C. Cotton, Sr.

She was born July 5, 1935 in Beallsville, OH to the late Joseph B. and Nona K. (King) Burcher. She graduated from Newark High School in 1953 in Newark, OH and Kent State University-East Liverpool in 1987 with an Associate of Arts. She married the love of her life and partner in life’s adventures, Edward C. Cotton, Sr. on November 11, 1956. She joked that she was a veteran because she married on Veteran’s Day (Armistice Day) and that was “the day that peace treaty was signed.” They celebrated 50 years of marriage until Ed’s death, February 11, 2007.

Mary Lou leaves behind her three children: Dianna Cotton-Fisher (Steve), Linda Cotton (Bernie Brown) and Edward Curtis (Heidi) Cotton Jr. She leaves six grandchildren: Joseph (Shannon) Brown, Jacob Brown, Jonathon Brown, Julia Brown, Sarah Fisher, Erik Fisher and five step-grandchildren: Sarah Owen, Rebekah Owen, Rachael Owen, Joshua Owen and Jessika Owen.  Her oldest sister, Kathleen Moore of Dayton, Oh. and sister-in-law Betsy Burcher of Fisher, Ind. also survive.

She was preceded in death by her parents and three siblings: Joe Burcher, Jr. of Dresden, OH, Ruth Ann Owens of Newark, OH and Dennis Burcher of Fisher, IN.

Calling hours were held Tuesday, May 5th. She will be buried with the love of her life, Edward, at Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery. In leu of flowers donations may be made to the charity of one’s choice. The family wishes to thank Alliance Community Hospice for their outstanding care and compassion.