James (Jimmy) Edward Cotten

August 8, 1949 - April 19, 2013

Mr. James (Jimmy) Cotten, age 63, of Green Acres Drive in Columbia passed away Friday, April 19, 2013 at his residence, surrounded by his loving family. Funeral services will be conducted Sunday, April 21, 2013 at 5:00 PM from the chapel of Heritage Funeral Home. The service will begin with military honors provided by the Herbert Griffin American Legion Post 19. The family will visit with friends from 2:00 PM until the funeral hour on Sunday. Jimmy will be laid to rest at the Middle Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery on Wednesday, April 24, 2013 at 2:00 PM. Heritage Funeral Home is assisting the family and is in charge of the arrangements. Jimmy was born in Lawrence County on August 8, 1949. He was the son of Amos Cotton and Gwen Palmer Chumley. Jimmy joined the United States Army in September of 1967 and served his country with active combat in Vietnam. When he left active duty, Jimmy began a 40+ year career as a truck driver. He has travelled the roads of America from Maine to California, and all points in between according to his fellow drivers and friends. He was a kind-hearted and giving man who trusted people without question, until he had reason otherwise. He was always there for his friends and family and loved spending time with them. If at all possible, Jimmy was a servant and mentor to those around him, especially in the trucking industry. In his free time he could be found fishing, throwing horse shoes or playing corn hole. He could find pleasure in the simplest things in life. Jimmy is survived by his mother: Mrs. Gwen Palmer Chumley of Okeechobee, FL; his life-companion: Debbie Peterson of Columbia; son: Chris (April) Cotten of Columbia; daughters: Kim Mills and Heather (Brad) Brewer of Columbia; brothers: J.W. (Sharon) Cotton of Okeechobee, FL and LeRoy Chumley of Columbia; a sister: Cathy Blade of Columbia; 5 grandchildren, 1great-grandchild; and many nieces and nephews. At the time of his death he was also anticipating the birth of another great-grandchild. He was preceded in death by his father: Amos Cotton; step-father: Tuck Chumley; brother: Rayford (Ellie) Cotton; and brother-in-law: William Blade. Don Osborne, Tommy Elliot, Bubba Moss, and friends and family from Wayside will serve as honorary pallbearers. The left lane will be a little more lonely now, so keep your wheels spinnin, the seat covers grinnin and the left lane wide open. Condolences may be sent to the family at the top of this page.