Cotten Funeral Home & Crematory

01/30/2026

We were honored to host Craven County Hospice this past Tuesday for our second Hospice CEU class, Funeral Customs & Rituals: Ways to Say Goodbye. The course was facilitated by Crystal Odham, our Manager and Certified Hospice Facilitator, who is passionate about education, collaboration, and compassionate end-of-life care. Participants gained insight into funeral customs and rituals across several faith traditions, helping them communicate more confidently, offer informed guidance, and build stronger connections with the families they serve.

We are grateful for the opportunity to support the dedicated hospice professionals and volunteers in our community through shared knowledge, respect, and compassion.

01/29/2026

Johnny Lyke Williams, age 75, of Vanceboro passed away on January 27, 2026.

Celebrate the life of Johnny Williams, leave a kind word or memory and get funeral service information care of Cotten Funeral Home.

01/29/2026

Jimmy proudly served in the US Army and National Guard, where he retired after 27 years of dedicated service. Following his military career, he and his late wife, Brenda Glisson, started their own florist business, JB's Flower Shop, which they successfully ran for 20 years from behind their home.

Celebrate the life of Jimmy Glisson, leave a kind word or memory and get funeral service information care of Cotten Funeral Home.

01/28/2026

In an increasingly interconnected world, safeguarding our digital footprint becomes paramount. Cherishing personal information ensures trust, security, and peace of mind for all.
We encourage each person – and also businesses – to ask questions, value and protect their own and everyone else’s privacy.

Most people don’t stop very often and take time to think about how much information about them is freely available to strangers, particularly Seniors.

Beware of Scammers! They present themselves as all types of entities and can appear on your computer, mobile device, social media and email. When in doubt, don't respond, hang up, unplug, and don't open suspicious emails.

01/26/2026

A colleague said it best: “I wish there was a schedule.”

That pretty much sums up the funeral business. While serving families, we are often with our work family more than our families at home. So, in honor of National Spouses Day (or your significant other) we want to simply say "thank you" and recognize the support, love and daily efforts, and for holding us up behind the scenes. 🫶🏻

Just a few photos of those who let me share. 😊

01/26/2026

Rick's legacy is one of humor, friendship, and a deep love for the outdoors. He will be dearly missed by all who knew him.

Celebrate the life of Lawrence Tillett, leave a kind word or memory and get funeral service information care of Cotten Funeral Home.

01/22/2026

A celebration of life service will be held Monday, February 23, 2026 at 7 p.m. at New Bern Church of God, 1230 Colony Drive, New Bern, NC.

Celebrate the life of Elizabeth Bousman, leave a kind word or memory and get funeral service information care of Cotten Funeral Home.

01/21/2026

We are proud to recognize George Orsega, our wonderful Pre-Planning Advisor and a dedicated member of the New Bern Breakfast Rotary Club.

On January 15, George received the Paul Harris Plus 3 pin for his contributions to Rotary International’s End Polio Fund. He was also honored for 11 years of service and his involvement in the club’s Annual Oktoberfest, which helps provide over 400 pairs of new sneakers each year to the less fortunate 1st through 8th grade students of the Craven County school system.

Congratulations, George, and thank you for all you do for our community! ❤️

01/21/2026

Hezzie Gerdyne Hodges Jr., 90, passed away on January 16, 2026, with his loving wife by his side. He was born September 18, 1935, to the late Hezzie Sr. and Selena Hodges.

Celebrate the life of Hezzie Hodges, leave a kind word or memory and get funeral service information care of Cotten Funeral Home.

01/20/2026

Lisa Edwards passed away peacefully on January 19, 2026, leaving this world to be with her Lord and Savior, whom she loved deeply and served faithfully throughout her life. Her strong faith was a guiding light to her family and all who knew her.

Celebrate the life of Lisa Edwards, leave a kind word or memory and get funeral service information care of Cotten Funeral Home.

01/20/2026

Dallene Thomasia Perry, 60, of New Bern, passed away on Wednesday, December 24, 2025. Dallene was a remarkably intelligent woman with many talents and an inquisitive mind. She proudly earned a mixology degree, held a real estate license, and was credentialed in tax preparation. She operated a FastTax business for a time, applying her sharp skills and dedication to helping others. She had a deep love for animals and was especially proud of creating and legitimizing her own breed of cats known as Craven Blues, a beautiful mix of Siamese and Ragdoll. Her creativity and persistence were evident in everything she pursued. Above all else, Dallene was known for her extraordinary patience — she had patience for miles. She was kind, caring, and beautiful both inside and out, always extending grace to others, even when she struggled to give it to herself. She is survived by her two daughters, Sydney Tomlinson and Gabrielle Perry. Dallene will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.

Celebrate the life of Dallene Perry, leave a kind word or memory and get funeral service information care of Cotten Funeral Home.