RUSK LIBRARY STUDY CLUB
Club hears life story of Ella Mae Cotten
BY BETTY TOWNSEND

Members of the Rusk Library Study Club met Tuesday, March 11, in the fellowship hall of First Presbyterian Church to continue the course of study on "This is My Life--Until Now." Presenter was Ella Mae Cotten.

Mrs. Cotten began the story of her life by stating that her parents were married in 1921, in Saratoga, a small town in the Big Thicket area of southeast Texas. Her father was a veteran of World War I and worked in the oilfields. Her mother's parents were rice farmers.

Childhood was pleasant for Mrs. Cotten and her younger sister, and the family was blessed with financial security. She has wonderful memories of early school experiences, enjoying her classes and playing softball and other games during recess.

All but one of her student years were spent in Saratoga schools. She made good grades in all subjects, but the one she enjoyed most was home economics, which she studied all four high school years. Mrs. Cotten said she loved to sew and made several garments, including an evening gown. She was chosen to model the dress in a school program. Sewing is a skill she has used extensively through the years, including the construction of beautiful quilts.

When Mrs. Cotten graduated from high school, she was selected to continue her education with a year's study at Brenham, under a government program, resulting in employment at Foley's Department Store in Houston.

Mrs. Cotten's classmate and future husband, Harvey, went to work for Hughes Tool Co. after graduating, but volunteered for the Army on Dec. 8, 1941, along with several of his friends. His two brothers also served in the military during World War II.

The couple became Mr. and Mrs. Cotten in Topeka, Kan. in 1943, where he was stationed. Their first son was born there and Topeka was their home for the duration of the war. The couple made many friends during those years and remain in contact with some of them to the present time.

When the war was over, they returned to southeast Texas and Mr. Cotten resumed employment with Hughes, but soon acquired a job more to his liking with Sun Oil Co. in the Winnie-Stowell area. Two years later he was transferred to Barbers Hill (Mount Belview) and they moved in a company house which they later bought. During this time the family grew to include another son and two daughters. In 1965 they bought land and built a new house.; The children attended Barbers Hill schools and were involved in all sports and other school activities. The family is Baptist and participated in all church functions. Scouting, Lions Club and school board were all part of their busy lives.

As the children grew up and left home for college and lives of their own, the parents felt a longing to relocate away from the gulf coast area for their retirement. The family had traveled extensively, and on a trip to the hills of East Texas, the Cottens decided they had found just the right place. They went home, contacted a realtor here and in 1979, bought a farm near Rusk.

Mr. Cotten retired in 1983, they built their beautiful house and moved here the next year.

Mrs. Cotten stated that their lives have been richly blessed and their children are all good Christians with college degrees, homes of their own and professional careers.

They have blessed their parents' lives with 11 grandchildren and the Cottens also boast 10 great-grandchildren. Their son, Glen, and his wife, Linda, are retired and live near Rusk, so are available to assist the Cottens with any need.

Club members enjoyed hearing Mrs. Cotten's mini-autobiography and expressed their appreciation.

The meeting was adjourned following a short business session.