Ada Lee (Jones) Wells Cottle

Ada was born August 18, 1934 in Wilmington, NC to Thawdy and Alta Jones. At age 16, Ada married James Kenneth Wells. After James’ death in 1954, Ada wed Billy Cottle, her faithful and loving husband of 70 years until her passing.

Ada’s love for her family and friends was evident to all. Her most joyous days were at Easter and Christmas when all of her children, grandchildren and eventually great-grandchildren gathered to eat and celebrate at her house. As her family grew, the chaos became her delight as she watched everyone hunt for Easter eggs, strike pinatas, open presents and play games in the yard.

Ada and Billy frequently traveled the country in their motor home with friends and family creating many wonderful memories. Ada and Billy also traveled several times to Hawaii, including once on a mission trip. Of all the places that she went, her favorite places were sitting in the swing on her porch with Billy or watching one of her grandchildren or great-grandchildren play ball.

Ada worked many years as business manager and secretary of Billy Cottle Construction Company where she and Billy built dozens of homes in the Wilmington area. Ada also served many years as the treasurer of Fellowship Baptist Church where she was a member for more than 50 years. In her time at the church, she made multiple generations of church members her family, even loving some from birth to adulthood and beyond.

Ada was preceded in death by her parents Thawdy Clarence Jones and Alta Letha Daniels Jones, her brother Lonnie Jones and sisters, Mattie Jones Lawhorne and Doris Jones. Ada was also predeceased by her first husband, James Kenneth Wells and son-in-law, Larry Steven Murray.

Ada is survived by her husband, Billy Cottle, her daughters, Margie Wells Murray of Castle Hayne, NC, and Gloria Cottle Harmon and husband Hank Harmon of Surf City, NC, four grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. Ada’s grandchildren and great-grandchildren are Kenneth Murray and wife, Michelle, of Raleigh, NC, with children Anna and husband, Matthew Lynch, of Gainesville, FL, James Murray and Luke Murray; Steven Murray and wife, Amber, of Castle Hayne, NC, with children Skyler and Levi; Shannon Harmon and wife, Laurie, of Surf City, NC, with Shannon’s sons, Elijah and wife, Sarah, of Wilmington, NC, and Micah of Castle Hayne, NC, and with Laurie’s daughter Madaghan O’Shea of Surf City, NC; Bethany Pegram and husband, Matt, of Castle Hayne, NC, with children Alex Horrell and Cody Pegram; and nephew Clarence Ray Lawhorne of Wilmington, NC.

The family would like to thank Fellowship Baptist Church for their outpouring of love for Ada, Billy and her family during this time. The family would also like to thank the staff of Lower Cape Fear LifeCare for their compassion and support and encourages donations in support of their continued work.

The family will receive friends at 1:00 pm on Monday, April 27, 2026 at Fellowship Baptist Church at 5709 Murrayville Rd, Wilmington, NC 28405 followed by a funeral service at 2:00 pm officiated by longtime pastor and friend, Reverend Arnold Griffin. Interment will occur at Oleander Memorial Gardens.