Carole Ann (Chesnutt / Ellis) Cothran

Carole Ann Cothran of Grand Rapids, Michigan, passed away the morning of August 31^st, 2020 at Blodgett Hospital, surrounded by family and a caring hospital staff.

She was a lifelong resident of Western Michigan, born to W.D. Cothran and June (Manson) Cothran on November 3^rd, 1942.  She attended Grandville High School and graduated with a BS in Mathematics from the University of Michigan and enjoyed a lengthy career in the insurance industry, retiring as a Senior Underwriter from Willis.  Carole served God through the Episcopal Church her entire life, serving on many guilds and attending many conferences.  She was a member of the St. Andrew’s Choir for many years, and as her physical strength left her, set this joy aside and carried on.  She taught her son many lessons, from saving for an entire summer for an action figure, and important kitchen skills using her mother’s wise advice, “If you can read, you can cook.”  Most importantly, she embodied the important lesson of how to adapt to changes in life and career and to carry on. 

She was preceded in death by her parents and great nephew, Aiden LaFave and is survived by her two sisters, Shirley (Gary) Kortz, and Sandy (Jerry) LaFave, and her son, Paul (Sharon) Chesnutt, and grandson Brian and granddaughter Rachel.  And many nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, 1025 3 Mile Rd NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49505 on September 26^th at 1pm, with visitation noon to 1pm.   Carole will be interred in the Memorial Gardens.  Please remember your masks and to practice social distancing.

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