Patricia Cottrell

Ms. Patricia (Pat) Cottrell, age 88, passed away peacefully of natural causes on 1 July, 2019, at Big Springs Nursing Home, in Huntsville, Alabama.

Pat Cottrell is survived by her son, James (Jerry) Palmer and family, of Leesburg, Virginia; her daughter, Kathleen (Kathy) Palmer, of Huntsville, Alabama; her stepson, Ernest Cottrell and family; four grandchildren, Rachael Palmer, Duane Palmer and family, David Palmer and family, and Jared Leuchs; and her four great grandchildren, Kaylee Leuchs, Ryleigh Palmer, Trinity Palmer and Luna Palmer.  She is preceded in death by her parents Horace and Ruth Olive; her brother Bill Olive; her first husband, James (Jim) Palmer, of Huntsville, Alabama, and her second husband, Gordon Cottrell, of Huntsville, Alabama; and her stepson, Charles Cottrell.

Pat Cottrell was born on March 31, 1931 in Houston, Texas, to parents Horace and Ruth Olive. She graduated from the University of Houston with a Bachelor of Science degree in Journalism, and with a minor in Psychology. After moving to Huntsville, Alabama in 1963, she became an active member of the Highlands United Methodist Church as a pre-school Sunday School teacher and the Co-coordinator of Family Ministries. She also served as a teacher at the Central Assembly Church Daycare Center and served as the Program Director for Kiddie Korner Nazarene Church Daycare Center and Director of the Light and Life Free Methodist Pre-school. She was also a very active Girl Scout and Brownie leader. Pat was employed by J.C. Penney’s within the Service and Accounting Department prior to her retirement.  

Pat had a love for writing and was an avid freelance magazine writer, who was published in the Houston Chronicle, Rotogravure Magazine, Woman’s Day magazine and several writer’s trade journals thru the years.

Pat was a very giving person and always cared for others more than herself. She was deeply involved in taking care of others during the majority of her life. She greatly enjoyed playing tennis and softball in her younger days and writing in her later years. Her family and friends will always remember Pat as a kind, sweet, and caring person that could always be counted on in times of need.

A visitation is scheduled for Wednesday, July 10, 2019 from 1:00 to 2:00 at Spry Funeral Home, 2411 Memorial Parkway NW, Huntsville AL 35810. Services will follow the visitation at 2:00 pm in the Spry Funeral Home Chapel with burial to follow at Faith Memorial Park. Chaplain Larry Douglas will be officiating the service. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Pat’s life. In lieu of flowers a memorial contribution can be made in Pat’s name in memory of her beloved cat, Tiger, to The Ark Inc., a cat rescue organization, in Huntsville. The family would like to thank everyone for all their kind wishes of prayer and condolences.  

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