Joe Brown Cothran

Joe Brown Cothran, age 72, passed away on March 23, 2018, he was born on August 13, 1945 in Hohenwald, TN at Boyce Clinic and married Mary Carlice Webb of Jackson, TN on September 1, 1967. He is preceded in death by his wife, he is survived by two sons, Harold Webb Cothran, and Russell Gordon Cothran. He has three grandchildren, Justin and Elena Cothran of Jackson, and Kelsey Fowler Carmona of California. He was the son of Robert and Hazel Cothran of Hohenwald. He has two brothers, Jack (Mindy) from Hohenwald, Sam (Vicki) from Columbus, Georgia; sister, Dr. Peggy Cothran Davis (Tommy) from Paris, TN. He is survived by several nephews and nieces. He was a member of Browns United Methodist Church where he taught Sunday school at one time. He graduated from high school Lewis county High School and in 1970 he earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education with emphasis in Biology and Physics from The University of Tennessee at Martin. He was Vietnam Veteran in the Marine Corp. He has received many awards including 1998 from JUD Jackson Utility Division (now JEA) the Johnny E. Michael Community Service Award, where he retired after working for 30 years working for our community. Joe was a Cub Scout leader, Boy Scout leader teaching youth the principles of Boy Scouts. When his grandson started in scouts he became a Tiger volunteer leader, for the Boys Scouts of America. He also was an avid 4-H Volunteer for many years for the Madison County 4-H club. He and his family have donated massive volunteer hours to the 4-H Chicken Shack Fundraiser which is 55 years old this year and he was there from the beginning. He was chicken shack pit master for over 40 years in preparing and serving at the 4-H fundraiser, we called him "Chicken Shack Joe". The 4-H club owes Mr. Joe a great debt, because of his dedication to the fundraiser, several 4-Hers have been able to go on trips receive awards, scholarship and has helped make Madison county 4-H be success it is. Not many people would take a week of vacation to work at the Chicken Shack but Mr. Joe did for years. He went to several 4-H camps Target Smart, Junior Camp etc., as the volunteer leader he taught how to flint rock, survival skills, and how to give back to his community. In 1995 he received the 4-H State Volunteer Alumni Award. He joined 4-H when he was in the 4th grade in Lewis County and never stopped. Graveside services will be held at 1:00 pm Tuesday, March 27, 2018, at Dabbs Cemetery in Lewis County, TN on Cothran Road. Visitation will be at Lawrence- Sorensen Funeral Home 4-8 pm Monday, March 26, 2018. The family requests donations be sent Madison County 4-H (309 N. Parkway, Jackson, TN 38305) in lieu of flowers so that he can continue to help children. To send a flower arrangement or to plant trees in memory of Joe Brown Cothran, please click here to visit our Sympathy Store.