Essie Lora (Cotham) Abbott was born the daughter of Marvin D. Cotham and Dora Belle (Henson) Cotham on September 15, 1921, in Tyron, Oklahoma, and departed this life August 1, 2013, at Southridge Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Heber Springs, Arkansas, at the age of 91 years.
She was united in marriage on March 22, 1938 at Alton, Missouri to Melvin Earl “Shorty” Abbott, who preceded her in death on July 24, 1984.
Essie and Shorty raised two children and loved them as their own: Marcia (Croy) Mayse of Sunnyvale, Texas and Michael Croy of Heaven. She is survived by her daughter-in-law, Carol Croy Haller of Heber Springs, Arkansas; one granddaughter, Kimberly Croy Berg of Stuttgart, Arkansas; one great-grandson, Tyler Croy Berg of Stuttgart, Arkansas; several nieces, nephews, and friends.
She was one of eighteen children. Many have passed on and she is survived by Irene Childers of Thayer, Missouri; Betty McCameron of Lenoir City, Tennessee; Mildred Bartholomee of Thayer, Missouri; Melvin Cotham of Tulsa, Oklahoma; and M.J. Cotham of Rockville, Indiana.
Essie loved listening to her Bible CD’s and gospel music and enjoyed growing flowers.
She was a member of the Thayer Church of Christ. She will be remembered as a devoted Christian, homemaker, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend. She will truly be missed by all who knew her.
Funeral services for Mrs. Abbott will be Saturday, August 3, 2013 at 3:30 PM at the Carter Funeral Home Chapel in Thayer, Missouri with Shawn Deree officiating.
The family will receive friends at the Funeral Home in Thayer on Saturday afternoon from 1:30 PM until service time.
Burial will be in the Jeff Cemetery near Thayer, Missouri, with services under the direction of Carter Funeral Home, Inc. in Thayer.