Ada Mae Cotman

The Legacy of Ada Mae Cotman Ada Mae Cotman was born on January 11, 1914 in Charles City County, Virginia to the late Sarah Elizabeth Hampton and Jarad Cotman. She passed away peacefully on Wednesday, September 5, 2012 to have eternal life. Ada is preceded in death by her husband, John D. Cotman; son, Spencer Earl Cotman; 12 siblings, Emo, Herbert, Matilda, Vernon, Cora, Virginia, Issac, Grace, James, William Henry, Martha, and Rose. She grew up in Charles City where she was the 7th oldest of 15 children and was educated in the Charles City school system. At an early age, she accepted Christ as her Lord and Savior and united with Little Elam Baptist Church. As a young woman, she worked for several years at the Holly House, but the job for which she was most proud was being a devoted wife to John “Steven” and loving mother to her babies, “Sally” “Gla”, “Jimmy”, “Bert” and “Cup”. She also assisted in raising her siblings children, Edward C. Cotman, Carrie Cotman, and Patricia Jones, as well as several of her grandchildren, Rosalyn White, Marvin Hawkins Jr. and Erica Hawkins-Wilson. She was a sharp witted woman who could always make you laugh and loved nothing more than talking with friends and being surrounded by family. She loved living in Charles City and cherished the life she made there. She was an avid gardener of both flowers and vegetables. Ada always delighted in making large home cooked meals for family and friends, most times with vegetables straight from her garden. She truly enjoyed receiving vegetables from her brother Sam. They would often reminisce of the good old days while having lunch. Later in her life, her children were blessed to be able to reciprocate the love she always showed them by caring for her up until the end of her life. Her wisdom, sweet spirit and love for the Lord are all things that she has passed on to her children. Her memory will live on through her children, grandchildren and friends she has made along the way of her long and richly blessed life. Ada always had a love for her family, and her church family. She will be remembered as a devoted mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt and friend to many. She was loved and will truly be missed. She leaves to cherish and carry on her legacy, three devoted daughters, Christine Bradby (Robert), Gladys C. Hawkins (Marvin Sr.), and Edith Craddock (Ronald Sr.); one devoted son James W. Cotman (Brenda); 14 grandchildren, Rosalyn (William), Kim, Rodney (Robin), Erica (Cory), Marvin Jr., Provonda (Antonio), Joi, Joseph (Sylvia), Jade, Ronald Jr., Cindy, Ray, Tameka and Steve; 13 great-grandchildren, Dana, Deona, Derrick, Bryant, Donté, Sky, Madison, Tyler, Devon, Tony, Nia, Camille and Tony; 4 great-great-grandchildren; one devoted brother, Stanley “Sam” Cotman (Hilda); daughter-in-law, Jean Cotman; loving friend, Doris Atkins; nieces, Cathy Brown, Crystal Wells and Jewel Wells; a host of other loving relatives and friends. In Loving Memory God saw you getting tired and a cure was not to be. He put His arms around you and whispered “Come to Me.” With tearful eyes we watched you, watched you fade away. Although we loved you dearly, we could not make you stay. A golden heart stopped beating, hard working hands now rest. God broke our hearts to prove to us He only takes the best.

Tributes

Ada Mae Cotman

January 11, 1914 - September 5, 2012