Obituary | Hollis Olen Cothran from Rome, Georgia

Hollis O. Cothran, 89, Rome, formerly of Armuchee, passed away on June 30, 2023 at a local hospital after a two-week illness.

Hollis was born in the Alexis Community of Cherokee County, Alabama to the late Melvin Edmondson Cothran and Bonnie McKnight Cothran. He was the grandson of Joseph and Lula Foster Cothran and Millard and Jaley McHugh McKnight. Before him died his siblings Weldon Cothran, Joe Cothran, Zera Roberts, Barbara Jenkins and Betty McAlister.

Hollis served in the US Army from November 1953 to November 1955. He was in Ft. Jackson, South Carolina for boot camp; feet Gordon, Georgia for the Powerman School, then Ft. Bliss, El Paso, Texas. On November 11, 1955 he was honorably discharged as a corporal.

Hollis graduated from Cherokee County (AL) High School, attended Jacksonville State College, North Georgia Business College and the University of Georgia Off-Campus Center at Rome, and graduated from Alverson-Draughon Business College in Birmingham, Alabama. He moved to Rome from Piedmont, Alabama in July 1957. From January 1956 until his retirement on October 31, 1993, he worked at General Electric’s Medium Transformer plant. There he was a longtime member of the New Armuchee Baptist Church. He was a member of Sunday School and the JOY Club. After his retirement, he and his wife spent many hours researching their family histories, and he never tired of telling stories about his ancestors and their adventures. Hollis received his 50-year membership pin from his Masonic lodge in 2007. He was a member of Lozahatchee Lodge No. 97 F&AM and a life member of the Yaarab Atlanta Temple.

He was a devoted husband, father and grandfather and a friend to many. He loved people and liked to chat with friends or strangers at any opportunity. He is survived by his wife of more than 62 years, Carolyn Mills Cothran, his sons and daughters-in-law David and Cherice Cothran, Woodstock; Barry and Laurie Cothran, Troy, Ohio; John and Carol Cothran, Everett Springs, and his daughter and son-in-law, Holly Cothran Drake and Landon Drake of Marietta; five grandchildren, USAF Capt. Sean P. Cothran of Fort Walton Beach, FL, Shannon and Erin Cothran, Troy, Ohio; Kallie Cothran, Rome, Georgia, and Alaina Cothran, Woodstock; Sisters are also among the survivors. Myra Sanford and Melba Kiser of Piedmont, Alabama, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Funeral services are scheduled for Monday, July 3, 2023 at 4:00 p.m. at New Armuchee Baptist Church, Armuchee, GA, to be conducted by Rev. Carson Fellows and Rev. Dr. David Howard planned. Family welcomes friends from 2pm to 4pm at the New Armuchee Baptist.

Burial will follow at Mt. Tabor Methodist Church Cemetery in Everett Springs, GA.

Henderson & Sons Funeral Home, North Chapel is responsible for the organization.