Ernest Dewain Cotten, age 77, of Nelson, MO, died Sunday, June 20, 2021, at his home.

Funeral services will be held at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 23, at Campbell-Lewis Chapel in Marshall, with Rev. Randal Huff officiating. Burial will follow at Ridge Park Cemetery in Marshall. Visitation will be held from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to family choice; and an online guestbook is available at www.campbell-lewis.com.

Born September 13, 1943, in Blackwater, he was the son of the late Otis Cotten and Gertie Matthews Cotten. Dewain lived in the Nelson area most of his life and was a graduate of Nelson High School. On December 15, 1962, he married Mary Morelock, who survives of the home. Dewain worked for Sites Farms in Blackwater, Cooper County Road Crew and then for M.F.A. He enjoyed gardening, wood working, hunting, fishing, camping and the great outdoors with family and friends.

In addition to his wife, Mary; he is survived by six children: Dewain Cotten Jr. (Joe), Jeff Cotten (Alicia), Marvin Cotten (Anne), Dennis Cotten (Glenora), Cindy Bruce and Jennifer Edde (Robert); numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren; four sisters: Shirley Huff, Joan Hooper, Delores Nicholes (Robert) and Wanda Dempsy; one brother, Leroy Cotten (Bonnie); as well as many nieces, nephews, extended family and close friends.

Dewain was preceded in death by his parents and a daughter, Rita Elaine Cotten.