Wilburn Laverne Fosse

Laverne Fosse Cotton, as he was known to many friends, 80 passed from this life on Sunday, May 9, 2004 at 12:56 p.m. surrounded by his wife and children and many others members of his family. He spent his final days in the home of his son, Lewis, on the family farm in Southwest Marion, where he had lived and worked his entire life until his retirement in 1990. He was the third of five generations to call the farm home. At the passing he was very near the old home place where both he and his father were born. Laverne was born December 19, 1923, the fourth of eight children born to Erwin A. and Bessie (Gulledge) Fosse. He married Phyllis Jane Culbreth on July 16, 1955 and they have shared 48 wonderful years. She survives in Marion. Laverne and Phyllis raised seven children together on the farm, all of whom survive. Regina (Leonard) Williams, of Pittsburg; Lewis (Susan) Fosse, of Marion; Randal Fosse, of Nashville, TN; Penny Barras, Martha (Dan) Pender, of Marion; Mary Beth (Patrick) Bixler, of Virginia Beach, VA; and John Paul (Stephanie) Fosse, of Marion. He also leaves seventeen grandchildren and eight great grandchildren. Laverne was a member of Freedom Free Will Baptist church in rural Marion for over 60 years. Over the years he served the Lord there as Trustee and Sunday School Superintendent. He was also for many years an active member of the Williamson County Farm Bureau, and was honored in 1973 as the Conservation Farmer of the Year for Williamson County. Laverne enjoyed farming, hunting, fishing, and spending time with his family. His family and friends will recall a gentle, soft-spoken man who was easily moved by the sorrows of others. He was preceded in death by his parents as well as two brothers: Lester and Wayne Fosse. He is also survived by four brothers and one sister: E. Ray (Lloyd) Fosse and Ferne Bowen of Marion; Lawrence (Ina Mae), James M. (Judith) and Gale (Norma) Fosse, of Goreville, IL as well as many nieces and nephews. Visitation will be Tuesday, May 11th at Mitchell-Hughes Funeral Home in Marion. Friends may call at the funeral home after 5:00 P.M. The Church was the first place Laverne was taken as an infant outside the home. As testimony to his faith, the funeral service will be held at the family church, Freedom Free Will Baptist, four miles south of Marion on Rt. #37 at 11:00 A.M. on Wednesday, May 12th. Present and former pastors Gilbert Craig and Jerry Schell will officiate. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. The casket will be moved to the church at 10 A.M. Memorials may be made to Freedom Free Will Baptist Church or to the Parkinsons Foundation. For additional information or to sign the guest memorial register please visit www.hughesfuneralhomes.com.