Luella Mae Cotton

May 17, 1919 – September 23, 2015

Luella Mae Cotton passed away peacefully surrounded by family following a brief illness.

Mae was born in Wales, North Dakota to Benjamin and Alto Fraser. She was the third of ten children. The family moved to California in 1929 traveling across country in a model T Ford. In 1932 she met the love of her life William (Bill) Cotton. After 10 years of courting they were married in April 1942. They were blessed with 70 years together before Bill passed away in 2012.

In 1954 the family moved to Merced where Bill was the manager of Department of Motor Vehicles. Mae worked at Farmers Insurance Company as an underwriter.

During their retirement they were able to indulge their love of travel and pursue their passion for life long learning. They traveled throughout the United States and made trips to Europe, Australia and New Zealand.

Mae’s interests included genealogy, woodworking, lapidary work, stamp collecting, crossword puzzles, jigsaw puzzles, singing and playing the piano. Mae was active in the community, being involved in the local AARP Chapter, fund raising for the construction of the Senior Center on 15th St, volunteering many hours there and holding various officer positions in both AARP and the Merced Senior Social Club. She was also a member of the Golden Notes singing group and the Merced Women’s Club.

Mae is survived by daughters Luella (Toni) Thomas of Merced, Patricia (Robert) Scoble of Merced, Sister Ruth (Don) Hamilton, and Sisters-in-law Corine Fraser and Donna Cotton and Son-in-law Ray Jones. She was blessed with 10 grandchildren and numerous great and great- great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews who loved her dearly.

She is preceded in death by her husband William Cotton and daughter Katherine (Kay) Jones.

Mae did not wish for a formal service but family and friends are invited to a Celebration of Life gathering on October 1, 2015 at 11:30 a.m. at Stratford Evans Funeral Home 1490 B Street, Merced.

The family requests in-lieu of flowers a memorial contribution be made to the Merced Senior Social Club 755 W 15th St Merced, Calif 95340