It is with great sadness that we share that Ella Mae Cotten passed away on June 5, 2021 in Rusk, TX at the age of 99 of natural causes.

Ella Mae was born the eldest of two daughters in Saratoga, TX on January 17, 1922 to Eddie and Hortense Legendre. Mee-Mee, as she was known, was married to Harvey Cotten for 71 years until his death in 2015.

During her life, she was involved in Meals on Wheels, her church choir and enjoyed quilting, sewing, canning, caring for her plants and doting on her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. A lifelong learner, her whit, mental acuity, energy and appreciation for life were with her until the end.

She is survived by her four children, Glenn Cotten and his wife Linda, Kenneth Cotten, Cathy Janke, and Sandy Birkhead and her husband Don, as well as 11 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren, and a large extended family of cousins, nieces, nephews and their children.

A funeral service is scheduled at 10 a.m. Thursday, June 10, 2021, at First Baptist Church in Rusk. Bro. Brian Givens and Don Birkhead will officiate. Visitation will be held at the church prior to the service. Services are under the direction of Autry Funeral Home in Jacksonville.

Burial will follow the service at Holland Cemetery in Kountze, TX.

Pallbearers will be Dean Cotton, David Cotton, Travis Cotton, Nathan Cotton, Matthew Birkhead and Grant Janke.