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FRANKLIN — Preston Darden Cotton, 96, passed away on Jan. 16, 2020, in his home with family by his side.

Preston was a native of Southampton County, and a son of the late Vernard Preston Cotton and Annie Laurie Darden Cotton, and was also predeceased by a brother and sister-in-law, Thomas Redelle and Mary Alice Cotton; two brothers-in-law, Woodrow Ferguson and Richard Brock; and a niece, Jo Ferguson Jarratt.

Preston was a 1940 graduate of Franklin High School, and was a WWII Army veteran. He served in the European Theater for 18 months from 1944 to 1946.

Preston retired from Union Camp Corporation after 43 years of service, and was a member of the American Legion Post No. 73 and Sycamore Baptist Church.

He enjoyed traveling with Gaynell Riddick to Western USA, Canada and Scandinavian countries.

Preston enjoyed all sports, both playing and watching.

Left to cherish his memory are a sister, Grace Caroline Ferguson “Dinks” Brock; eight nieces and nephews, Teressa Beier (Karl), Dell Cotton, Nell Daughtrey (Charlie), Veronica Ferguson, Woody Ferguson (Jean), Janet Bulls (Ronnie), Wayne Ferguson and Kevin Ferguson (Karen); numerous great- nieces, great-nephews and great-great-nieces and great-great-nephews; and his loving caregivers, Bertha Walker and Michelle Whitacker.

The funeral will be at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 18, in Sycamore Baptist Church with the Rev. Dr. Reginald Warren and the Rev. David Roberts officiating. The burial with military honors will follow in Poplar Spring Cemetery.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorial donations be made to Sycamore Baptist Church Memorial Fund, 31120 Sycamore Church Road, Franklin, VA 23851.

www.wrightfuneralhome.org.