Jimmie Lou Lyons Cothren

Jimmie Lou Lyons Cothren was born to John T. Lyons and Jimmie Lou Turner Lyons in McComb, MS and spent her childhood with her three brothers, Johnny, Louis and Billy, as well as a neighborhood full of aunts and cousins.

She graduated from McComb high school and subsequently attended the Mississippi State College for Women.

After earning her degree, she pursued a career as a librarian. She worked in both academic and public libraries and helped instill a love of reading and intellectual curiosity in patrons across the country.

She and her husband Richard married in 1962 and lived out their love story in Idaho, Arkansas, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Alabama before settling in Virginia.

Books and music thrived in her house. She passed her love of reading down to her two sons, her two granddaughters, and even her stubborn and much-loved husband. Her musical interests included playing the piano and singing, which always shone during hymns at church, so much so that her family usually kept their mouths shut so as to hear her. Though when she caught them, there were consequences.

Her sense of humor, sly and saltier than one would expect from such a shy woman, surprised and elated those who were lucky enough to know her.

She is survived by her husband of over 60 years, Richard, her sons Adam and Jeff, their wives Tara and Shiyoko, and by her grandchildren Rowan and Neave.

She guided us all and will be greatly missed.

Inurnment services will be conducted at 4:00 pm Tuesday, October 27, 2026, at the Holy Trinity Lutheran Church Columbarium.