Norma Jean Cottingham

Norma Jean Jackson Cottingham, 77, of Osage, WV, passed away peacefully in her home on Wednesday, December 2, 2020, following long term Alzheimer's. Norma was born January 16, 1943, in Morgantown, a daughter to the late John Wesley Jackson, Sr., and Velma Dale Jackson.

Norma attended high school in Morgantown and was the first black cheerleader. After graduating, she would marry Mr. Joe Louis Cottingham and relocate to New Jersey, where she worked for Bell Laboratories and later retired from AT&T with more than 25 years of service.

Norma was active in her community, serving with the American Legion Post 322 Ladies Auxiliary in Summit, NJ, and was also a member of the Eastern Stars. She maintained her home and raised five children, all while working full time.

In 2001 she and Joe returned to Morgantown to slow down and enjoy retirement.

Norma leaves to cherish her memory, her beloved children, Louis Allen Cottingham and significant other, Juliette Johnson of Westover, WV, Mark Anthony Cottingham of Scotch Plains, NJ; Marnita Cottingham, and significant other Omar Randolph of Morgantown, WV, and Kimberly Reneé Cottingham and Donaldo Benito, Jr., of Edison, NJ; grandchildren, Keyna Melendez, Anthony C. Flagg, II, Johnea Cottingham, Shayna Melendez and Dominque Jo Cottingham; and great-grandchildren, Aubree Flagg, Aja, and Adrian Cottingham.

Also, surviving are her siblings, Leonard Jackson, Charles Jackson and wife Sharon, Kenneth Jackson, and wife Diana, all of Morgantown, WV, Bernice Woods Brown of, GA, and Shirley Cottingham with Jack Daniels of Westover; additional family Gregory Wilson of, GA, Philip Gwathney of NJ and a host of nieces, nephews cousins, and friends.

In addition to her parents, Norma was preceded in death by her husband Joe Louis Cottingham; her son, John Lemnuel Cottingham; three brothers, John Jackson and his wife Betty Jackson, Richard Jackson, Lawrence Jackson; sister-in-law, Birdie Jackson, and brother-in-law James Cottingham.

Honoring Norma’s wishes, cremation will be arranged by the Fred Jenkins Funeral Home. The family will hold vigil in the privacy of their homes and will announce a celebration of her life at a later date when pandemic restrictions have been lifted. We encourage you to share your memories of Ms. Norma on her guestbook.