John Walter Cothern, age 85, of Alma passed away on Monday, May 4, 2020 at Memorial Hospital in Jacksonville, Florida. He was born in Bacon County on February 16, 1935 to Austin Barto Cothern and Bessie Taylor Cothern. Besides his parents he was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Inez Townsend Cothern, a grandson Brenton Johnson, brothers, Austin, J. B. and Henry Cothern and sisters, Ruby Brown, Thelma Jackson and Wilma Jean Varnadore. He served in the US Air Force during the Korean War.

Survivors include his companion, Gail Sharpe Cothern of Alma, daughters, Mary Winn (Jasper) of Baxley, GA., Debbie Richards of Augusta, GA., Brenda Johnson of Grovetown, GA., Sonya Jean Smith of Alma, GA. and Carol Ann Cothern of Jacksonville, FL., niece and nephews, Betty Sharp of St. Augustine, FL., Billy and Lamar Cothern of Atlanta, GA. and Bobby Cothern of St. Augustine, FL., grandchildren, Kenneth James Smith (Taylor), Stormy Maples, April Rose Smith, Rodney Thomas Hatcher, Burt Thomas Baker, John Richard Johnson, Summer Torres, Alissa Winn and Ashley Wright, great-grandchildren, Cameryn, Mason and Caitlyn Highsmith, Mary Inez Johnson, Chase and Ashton Hatcher, Braydon Smith, Nicole Capps, Taylor Ray, Davin, Landon and Braxton Williams, Jasper Rhyse Winn, Bristol, Wyld and Jerico Wright and many friends.

Graveside services will be held Friday, May 8 ^th at 2:00 PM at Rose Hill Cemetery with Jeffrey Taylor officiating.

Crosby Funeral Home will be in charge of arrangements.