RUTHARD COTTON

RUTHARD FREDRICK COTTON 1919-2007
Ruthard Fredrick Cotton, 87, of Chumuckla, passed away on Monday, August 13, 2007. Mr. Cotton was a native and lifelong resident of Santa Rosa County. He was retired from St. Regis/Champion Paper Mill with over 28 years of service. He was a United States Army Veteran of World War II and served two terms overseas. He was a member of the Chumuckla Methodist Church.Mr. Cotton is survived by his wife of almost 67 years, Edna Ruth Cotton of Milton; six children, Jeffrey (Mable) Cotton of Chumuckla, Rita Gillman of Milton, Janice (Ernest) Jernigan of Chumuckla, Ronald (Twyla) Cotton of Jay, Gail (Billy) Golden of Jay, and Gregory (Susan) Cotton of Chumuckla; a brother, Eubie (June) Cotton of Pace, a sister in law, Ann Cotton of Pace; twenty grandchildren, twenty-four great grandchildren, and one great great grandchild.Funeral Services for Mr. Cotton will be held 11:00 am on Thursday, August 16, 2007, at the Lewis Funeral Home in Milton with the Rev. Clive Knights officiating. Burial will follow in the Elizabeth Chapel Methodist Church Cemetery with LEWIS FUNERAL HOME directing. The family will receive friends from 5 pm until 7 pm on Wednesday, August 15, 2007 at the Lewis Funeral Home in Milton.Active Pallbearers will be, Jeremy Cotton, Jeff Cotton, Paul Gillman, Steve Lastinger, Jeff Johnson, and Ben Ellison.Honorary Pallbearers will be, Jack Jerkins, Johnny Shaw, Floyd Enfinger, T. J. O'Kelley, Charles Steadham, Billy Holland, J. D. Fulford, Dalton Cobb, Marty Griswold, Buddy Pace, Jack Caraway, Leon Livingston, Winston Campbell, and Jerry Kilpatrick, Jim Boles, Wayne Cotton, Herb Cotton, Gerald Cotton.The family wishes to express a special Thank You to the Staff of Santa Rosa Health and Rehab and to Covenant Hospice to all the Special Care given to Mr. Cotton.