Rev. James Harold Cottle

Rev. James Harold Cottle, Sr., 92, of Benton passed away Tuesday, December 23, 2025 at the Deaconess Hospital in Marion, IL.

Mr. Cottle was born in Kenbridge, Virginia on June 8, 1933 the son of William Harvey & Garnett (McGinnis) Cottle.

He married Beatrice Sharpton on June 11, 1955 in Cullman, Alabama in her minister’s living room. Mrs. Cottle passed away on October 17, 2020.

Mr. Cottle graduated from Kenbridge High School and then he graduated from Trevecca Nazarene College where he met the love of his life and life partner Beatrice. After receiving his Bachelor’s Degree in Theology, he attended and graduated from the Nazarene Theological Seminary in Kansas City, MO. He was a ham radio operator and he enjoyed that. He truly enjoyed spending quality time with his grandchildren.

Rev. Cottle was a retired Nazarene Minister. His first church was at Murfreesboro, TN, then Saraland, AL, Concord, NC, Georgetown, IL, Benton, IL, Cherryville, NC and then Nashville, TN where he retired. After retiring from the Ministry, he worked for Trevecca Towers.

Rev. Cottle is survived by his:

Son: Jim Cottle & wife Kerri of Benton

Grandson: Brad Cottle of Benton

Granddaughter: Bethany Cottle of Benton

1 Great-Grandson: Braxton Cottle

He is also survived by several special Nieces & Nephews.

Rev. Cottle was preceded in death by his Parents, Wife, Daughter-Debbie Cottle and 5 Siblings-Opal Dorsey & her husband Jake, Ruth Taylor, Violet Castle, Fern Clapp & her husband Roy, William “Sonny” Cottle, Jr. & his wife Myrtle.

A Visitation will be held from 5:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. on Saturday, December 27th at the First Church of the Nazarene in Benton. Funeral services will be held on Saturday January 3rd at the Moss Funeral Home in Cullman, AL. Burial will be in the Public Cemetery of Cullman, AL.

For more information or to send online condolences please visit www.mortonjohnstonfuneralhome.com

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