Nettie Cottman, 107

I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do - John 17:4

CRISFIELD - Nettie Cottman, 107, on Sunday morning, April 15, 2007 she heard the voice of Jesus say, "Come Unto Me And Rest."

Nettie was born on Dec. 22, 1899, in Marion Station to the late George and Sarah Cottman. One of eight children she enjoyed life to the fullest for 107 years. She never had much schooling but she did have a lot of wisdom. She worked in the seafood industry for many years until her retirement.

She accepted Christ at an early age and continued to serve him until her death. She attended and worked diligently in St. Paul AME Church. At the church she was an usher, missionary and Communion stewardess. She loved her church and was always eager to share whatever she had to support it and its pastor. Nettie loved good singing and preaching. She had a special love for Rev. Brooks, Rev. Gould and Rev. McCallister. Whenever Rev. Gould traveled to a different church she would follow with him and he would always acknowledge her and ask her to stand and give her age. Her favorite hymns were "Somewhere Around God's Throne," "God Is," "Halleluiah Square" and "Just the Two of Us." Her testimony was "Traveling down these old lonesome roads nobody but me and my Lord."

Whenever you saw her on Sunday or on a special occasion she would be dressed to impress with attire fit for a queen with an elegant hat, shoes and purse to match. She would enter a room with royal presence and a queenly (strut).

She loved to feed people. Her doors where always opened especially at Christmas. She loved the Lord, her family and her church.

She was preceded in death by five children. She leaves to cherish her memory seven generations, five children, Elizabeth Savage, Gertie Mae Strasser (Phillip), Mary Jackson, Lottie Jackson all of Crisfield, and Hezekiah Jackson (Sandra) of Lebanon, Va.; a daughter-in-law Emily Johnson, of Baltimore, 34 grandchildren; 102 great-grandchildren; 87 great great grandchildren; 25 great great great grandchildren; one great great great great grandchild a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends; and a special play mother Mary Custis.

Funeral services were held Saturday at the Crisfield High School.

Arrangements were handled by Anthony E.Ward Funeral Home in Crisfield.