Margaret L. Cotrell

Margaret Louise Metz Cotrell, age 97, a retired funeral director and former owner and operator of Cotrell Funeral Service, died Wednesday, November 28, 2012 at 11:00 PM. Mrs. Cotrell was born February 18, 1915 in Poplar Bluff, the third of Lynn and Columbia Metz' seven children. After graduating from William Woods College in 1935 with a degree in music, she pursued her business education at the Bluff Business College. On July 1, 1936 she was married to Scott A. Cotrell II who preceded her in death on March 30, 1951.

During her life, Mrs. Cotrell was active with church, family, business and community. In 1938 she and her husband, Scott, bought the Frank Undertaking Company, renaming it the Frank-Cotrell Funeral Home. The funeral chapel was located at 412 Vine St. and remained there until 1960 when the 701 Vine Street location was built under her direction. After the death of her husband in 1951, she managed the company until she was joined in the business by her son, Larry, in 1965. At the time of her retirement, she had played the organ for over 10,000 funeral services.

Margaret Cotrell ran her business with such quiet dignity few were aware of the challenges she faced. Only on the occasion of the four day funeral service for a well-known gypsy king did her professional life enter local legend.

In 1961, she was the first woman to be elected to the Poplar Bluff Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and was the first woman to serve as a Trustee in the First Presbyterian Church. A lifetime member of the church, she sang in the choir for over 70 years. In 1961 she was honored as ""Career Woman of the Year."" Mrs. Cotrell was a member of Chapter DG, P.E.O., the Monday Study Club and the Presbyterian Women's Association.

Survivors include three sons: Scott Cottrell III and wife, Kathryn, of Punta Gorda, Florida; Larry Cotrell and wife, Ann, of Poplar Bluff; and Jack Cotrell of Clearwater, Florida. Also surviving are three grandchildren: Scott Cotrell IV of Tampa, Florida, Lee Cotrell of Poplar Bluff, and Susan Cotrell Wallace of Chicago, Illinois; and four great-granddaughters. Two sisters, Frances Godwin and Rose McDaniel and a sister-in-law, Jan Metz, survive. Three brothers, Lynn Metz Jr., Gene Metz and Col. James H. Metz; a sister, Mary Crowe Carter and a sister-in-law, Henrietta Metz preceded her in death.

Visitation will be from 3:00 p.m. ? 5:00 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 2nd at Cotrell Funeral Chapel. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday at the First Presbyterian Church with Pastor Debra Tracy officiating. Burial will be at the Poplar Bluff City Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to the First Presbyterian Church or to the Poplar Bluff Public Library.