Paul L. Cotten Sr. went home to be with the Lord on Sunday, December 17, 1 995, at the age of 93 years, having died at Wilson N. Jones Hospital following a brief hospitalization.
Mr. Cotten was born in Sherman, Texas on October 15, 1902, one of 8 children (5 sons & 3 daughters), born to Horace Truman and Sara Rogers Cotten.   Except for a brief residence in Denison in his youth, he was a life-time resident of Sherman.  On May 2 2, 1922 he was married to Lela Mae Trail of Sherman; and 2 sons were born to them.
In 1922 Mr. Cotten began his 54-year-long career as a well-known business man and grocery store owner.  During those years he was market and store manager for Sherman supermarkets, including Piggly Wiggly and Safeway.   In 1946  he opened the City Food Store at 110E. Lamar St. and in 1950 at 211 E. Lamar St., which he owned and operated for 24 years until he sold the business in 1970.  In  197 0 Mr. Cotten managed, in behalf of his son, Paul ,Jr., the Legionnaire Club at 115 E. Houston St. until he retired in 1976.
Paul had been a faithful member of First Baptist Church in Sherman since 1956, and he had many loving friends there and in the Sherman business community.  He was a beloved husband, father and friend to many.
Surviving are his wife of Sherman; 2 sons, Mr. Paul L.  Cotten, Jr. and wife, JoAnn, of Frisco, Texas; and Dr. David C . Cotten and wife, Helen, of Dallas; 4 grandchildren: Renee Servello, Cody P. Cotten, David P. Jon Cotten, and Deanna Manske; 7 great-grandchildren: Kelli Servello,  Tyler Servello, Lacy Cotten, Jon Cotten, Caroline Cotten, Amanda Cotten, Allison Manske; one great-great-granddaughter, Lauren Taylor Servello; brother, Horace Cotten of Carnegie, Oklahoma; sister, Ruth Brown of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; and numerous nephews and nieces.
Funeral services were held Tuesday afternoon, December 19, in the Waldo Funeral Home Chapel.  Rev. Loftus Nunley officiated and interment was in Akers Cemetery.  Pallbearers were family members.
Memorials may be made to the Ministry of Encouragement, care of First Baptist Church.


Lela Mae Cotten went home to be with the Lord on July 22, 1 996, at the age of 91 years, having died at her home in Sherman.   Mrs. Cotten was born in Sherman, Texas, February 18, 1905, one of 5  children (4 daughters and one son) of George and Minnie Stone Trail, longtime Sherman residents.  Except for a 5-year residence during her teens on a farm outside Pottsboro and a brief residence in Denison early in her marriage, she was a lifelong resident of Sherman.  On May 22, 1922, she married Paul L. Cotten, Sr., well known business man and grocery store owner of Sherman to whom she was married for 73-1/2 years until he preceded her in death.  Two sons were born to them.
She was a  beloved wife, mother and friend to many.   During the years of 1946 -1970, Mrs. Cotten assisted her husband in managing the City Food Store at 211 E. Lamar St., which they owned and operated for 24 years until they sold the business in 1970. Mrs. Cotten also operated her own catering business in Sherman for 33 years, 19 55-1988 and was well known in the north Texas area as a talented cake maker, decorator and caterer of wedding receptions, anniversary, and birthday celebrations, and other special events in the entire north Texas area.  She had been a faithful member of First Baptist Church of Sherman since 1956, and she had many loving friends there as well as in the Sherman business community and the community of people in her catering profession.
Graveside services were held Wednesday afternoon in Akers Cemetery.  Dr. Michael Lawson, Rev. G. William Bryan and Rev. Loftus Nunley officiated.  Waldo  Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Surviving are her sons, Paul L. Cotten, Jr. and wife, Joane [sic] of Frisco and Dr. David C. Cotten and wife, Helen, of Dallas;  4 grandchildren: Renee Servello, Paul Cody Cotten, David P. Cotten and Deanna Manske; 7 great-grandchildren: Kelli Servello, Tyler Servello, Lacy Cotten, Jon Cotten, Caroline P. Cotten, Amanda L. Cotten and Allison Ray Manske; one great-great-granddaughter, Lauren Taylor Servello; her sister, Gladys Medford of Longview (formerly of Sherman); 5 nieces and 2 nephews.