Lutie Cotten Darnell, 85, of Germantown, Tennessee, passed away on Tuesday, July 19, 2022. She was born on May 7, 1937 in Austin, Texas to Edgar and Billie Shropshire. Lutie obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Education from Baylor University and a Master’s Degree in Speech Therapy from the University of Memphis. She spent her earlier years as a speech therapist before becoming a homemaker.
Lutie enjoyed writing and drawing. She is the author of the illustrated children’s book “Ashley and Alex the Mystery Twins.” Lutie was a long-time volunteer for MIFA’s meals on wheels program. She was a devoted member of Germantown Baptist Church for almost 49 years. Lutie sang in the sanctuary choir and participated in many of the church’s ministries. In her later years, she enjoyed hosting periodic coffees in her home for widowed residents of her neighborhood.
Lutie is survived by her sons, Christopher Cotten (Lorraine) and Kelly Cotten (Alicia); and her grandchildren, James M. Cotten and Katy Cotten. She is preceded in death by first husband, James A. Cotten (29 years); her second husband, Millen Darnell (18 years); and her parents, Edgar and Billie Shropshire.
There will be a visitation held at Memphis Funeral Home, 5599 Poplar Avenue in Memphis, on Sunday, July 24, 2022 from 4:00PM until 7:00PM. The funeral service will take place on Monday, July 25, 2022 at Germantown Baptist Church, 9450 Poplar Avenue in Germantown, beginning at 11:00AM with a committal service to follow at Memorial Park Cemetery. Dr. Kenneth Story will be officiating Lutie’s funeral service.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Down Syndrome Association of the Mid-South or MIFA.
