Rita Lee (Boyd) Cotten

Rita Lee Cotten passed away on Monday, December 5, 2022 at the Gibson Hospice Center in Terre Haute surrounded by family. She was born on February 3, 1938 in Westville, IL to George and Anna (Pitchford) Boyd. Rita married the love of her life, Robert Lee Cotten, on December 28, 1955, whom she met at Steak 'n' Shake while working as a car hop.
She attended Westville High School but earned a GED in her 40's after raising seven children. Rita was inducted into the Albert Einstein Club by Purdue University for earning such a high score on the GED test. She then graduated from Ivy Tech with a degree in nursing at the age of 51. Rita worked as a nurse in the 1990's and became her husband's caretaker before his passing in 2008.
Rita was a longtime member of New Beginnings Church in Kingman. She was active in her church, teaching Sunday school, Bible School and was a cook for the Bible School. Rita was a former member of the Civil Defense and Ladies Aide. Rita was currently the oldest resident and unofficial mayor in Yeddo, where she resided since 1965.
Her greatest life achievements were that of a wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, great great-grandmother, and homemaker. Rita enjoyed reading, caring for her chickens, milking cows, gardening, traveling and was an excellent cook.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Robert Cotten, Sr; a son, Robert Lee Cotten, Jr.; a grandson, Shane Robert Lewis; 2 sisters, Donna LaFoe and Jackie Boyd; and daughter-in-law, Deborah Cotten.
Rita is survived by three sons, Thomas Cotten of Marshall, David (Tina) Cotten of Clinton and Phillip (Teresa) Cotten of Bunker Hill; three daughters, Brenda (Bill) Crippen of Cowan, TN, Rita Anne (Todd) Hay of Veedersburg and Kim (Duane) Lewis of Yeddo; 17 grandchildren, Tom (Sarah) Cotten Jr., Timothy (Ginger) Cotten, Bobi (Dustin Owens) Stott, Kristina (Ray) Oaks, Rick (Hana) Cotten, Mick (Jinger) Cotten, Pam Randolph, Charlie Bill (Brooke) Randolph, Destiny (Kyle Quimby) Hay, Travis Hay, Buddy (Jamie) Lewis, Lance (Natasha Spudville) Lewis, Kallie (Logan) Lewellyn, Grant Lewis, Nick Lewis, Daniel Lewis and Jeremy (Andrea) Riggle; 29 great-grandchildren, Kandyse, Robert, Savannah, Leland, Jaythan, Carson, Kailey, Kirsten, Vaelyn, Kaiden, Laylah, Landon, Liam, Leighton, Lincoln, Jaelee, Amelia, Sarah, Brooklyn, Bella, Billy, Ricky, Presley, Taylye, Juliette, Mickey, Cruz, Remy, Rhiyver, and being blessed with two more on the way; 8 great great-grandchildren, Brantley, Onna, Annie, Zaelyn, Talon, Sterling, Jayse, Colton and being blessed with one more on the way; a brother-in-law, Paul "Dutch" LaFoe and several nieces, nephews and extended family.
Visitation will be held on Monday, December 12, 2022 at Sanders Funeral Care, 203 1st Street in Kingman from 11:00 a.m. until the time of the service at 1:00 p.m. with Pastor Bob Cruea officiating. The service will be recorded and available to view at www.SandersFuneralCare.com. Burial will follow at Centennial Cemetery in Yeddo. Share memories and condolences at www.SandersFuneralCare.com.