James "Jay" Eli Cothren

Mr. James "Jay" Eli Cothren, 75, of Statesville, passed away Tuesday, March 17, 2015, at Iredell Memorial Hospital. Mr. Cothren was born February 16, 1940, in Wilkes County and was the son of the late Jarva Cothren and Blanche Mastin Cothren. He was educated in Wilkes County schools and on April 20, 1969, he married Bunny Parsons Cothren, who survives. He was a heavy equipment operator with Bell Construction for 23 years and following his retirement, he went to work for Bartlett Milling as a truck driver and retired from there after nine years of service. In addition to his parents, Jay was preceded in death by a son, Glenn Irwin. Left to cherish his memory is his wife, Bunny Cothren, three sons, Freddy Cothren (Pat) of Mocksville, Gary Irwin (Carrie) of Kathleen, GA, and Richard Locke (Pam) of Stony Point and one daughter, Wendy C. Coleman (Luke) of Statesville. He is also survived by three brothers, Dale Pendergrass (Judy) of Kannapolis, NC, Grady Johnson (Faye) of Statesville, and Gary Johnson of Morganton along with three sisters, Millie Johnson, Becky Dellinger (Bill), and Pat Shoemaker (Wayne Carrigan), all of Statesville. 12 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren also survive. Funeral services for Jay Cothren will be conducted at 2:00 PM Friday, March 20, 2015, in the Nicholson Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. John Parks officiating. The family will visit with friends Thursday evening from 6:30 until 8:30 PM at the funeral home. Online condolences can be made to the family at nicholsonfunerals.com and Nicholson Funeral Home is serving the family of Jay Cothren.