Samuel Madison Cothron

Samuel Madison Cothron, 74, of Mechanicsville, VA died Monday, Sept. 12, 2016, at his residence. Born in Lowndes County (GA), he was the son of the late Thomas Grady Cothron, Sr. and Sarah Zipperer Cothron Dasher. Mr. Cothron was a graduate of Valdosta High School (’60) and Valdosta State University (‘64). He taught science at Brooks and Lowndes County High Schools before joining the Weyerhaeuser Company. Mr. Cothron ran facets of industrial operations in Adel, GA and Doswell, VA before assuming regional positions as an industrial sales engineer focused on product development, customer service, and resolution of technical issues. He worked with Weyerhaeuser and Sierra Pine customers in the furniture belt of Virginia and North Carolina as well as throughout the Eastern United States, Caribbean, and Europe. After retirement, he managed his longleaf timber and straw operations.

Survivors include his wife, Dr. Julia Harrell Cothron, of Mechanicsville, VA; a sister, Vivien Bly of Interlachen, FL; a brother, Thomas Grady Cothron, Jr. of Valdosta, GA; five nieces and nephews, and four great nieces and nephews. Mr. Cothron’s wife, Julia, is the daughter of the late Emmye Ramsey Harrell and Cuy Harrell Jr of Whigham, GA; sisters include Emily H. Maxwell of Whigham and Jacqueline H. Crew of Thomasville; a brother, Cuy Harrell III of Whigham; five nieces and nephews, and a great niece.

The family will receive Virginia friends from 2 pm to 4 pm on Sunday, October 9, at the Woody Funeral Home – Atlee Chapel, 9271 Shady Grove Road, Mechanicsville, VA. Previously, a memorial service was held on September 24 with burial at the Redland Baptist Church Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Whigham United Methodist Church Building Fund, 146 W. Broad Ave, Whigham, GA 39897 or the Redland Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, Attention: Becky C. Sims, 5930 Cothron Lane, Valdosta, GA, 31601. Online condolences to the family may be made at www.woodyfuneralhome.com.