Susan Dugger Cothron

Susan Dugger Cothron, 79, of Columbia, TN passed away peacefully while surrounded by her family on March 6, 2020 at NHC of Columbia. The daughter of Paul E. Dugger, Sr. and Willie Cathey Dugger, Susan was born February 6, 1941 in Chicago, IL. She grew up in Maury County and was a graduate of the Class of 1959 at Columbia Central High School. Susan met the love of her life, James A. Cothron, Sr. (Jimmy) in 1955, were married in 1958 and built a beautiful life together for 61 years. She was the first administrative employee in the community college system for the State of Tennessee, employed at Columbia State Community College for 40+ years. Retiring from CSCC in 2009, Susan received an award for Outstanding Staff Person of the Year. She was the president of the Jaycettes of Maury County and also was a Cub Scout leader for her boys for many years. She loved her flowers, crappie fishing with her husband on the Tennessee river and watching her grandchildren play sports. The most important thing in Susan’s life was her family. Those left to cherish her memory include her husband James A. Cothron Sr. of Columbia; her brother Paul (Dorethia) Dugger of Santa Fe; her four sons James A. Jr. (Lori) Cothron of Franklin, Lon Allen (Pamela) Cothron of Thompson Station, Thomas Brentford Cothron of Murfreesboro and Sean Paul (Brandi) Cothron of Columbia; like a son, Ed Russell; fourteen grandchildren Kristen (Justin) Conn, Lauren (Jeff) Cottam, Lyndsay (Brian) Anderson, Alex Cothron, Bryce Ford, Amanda (Caleb) Groom, Breanna Inman, Jaxen Ford, Courtney Cothron, Baylee Cothron, Jordan Cothron, Kayla Cothron, RJ Toler, and Sydni Cothron; and four great grandchildren Carson and Cannon Cottam and Vivian and Brian Anderson, and many loving cousins. In addition to her parents, Susan was preceded in death by her grandchild Ryan Tuck of Nashville. Services will be 3:00 p.m. Tuesday at Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home with Bill Lambert officiating. The family will visit with friends 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home. The family suggests memorials to Columbia State Community College Foundation, www.columbiastate.edu/foundation/give. Condolences may be extended online at www.oakesandnichols.com. The family would like to express a special thank you to the caring staff at NHC-Maury Regional Transitional Care Center.