Dolores Geraldine Wragg Cottman, age 85, departed this life on Saturday, November 24, 2018 at her residence. Born in the city of New York, she was the daughter of the late Jerry and Inez Wragg.
Dolores came to this area at the age of 13 and continued her education in the Somerset County Public School system. She married Preston T. Cottman (deceased) in 1949 and through this union seven children were born. Dolores was a life-long member of St. Mary’s Missionary Baptist Church and prior to her health failing, she was an active member in the church and worked tirelessly in the community to enrich the lives of others.
Having a keen interest in cooking (seven children and a Husband how could she not) she began a long career in food services starting out at English Grill as a cook, subsequently becoming employed with the State of Maryland spending time at Deer’s Head Hospital, Eastern Shore State Hospital, Holly Center and ending her career at Salisbury State University as a Food Services Manager. She loved learning her craft and took numerous culinary classes having attended classes in Dietary Management at the University of St. Louis, in St. Louis, Missouri. She was a member of the Dietary Manager’s Association and a life-member of the VFW Auxiliary. Throughout her career she received numerous awards, certifications, citations, and recognitions. She was known for her volunteerism which earned her local and state recognition including the Maryland You Are Beautiful certification of recognition. She was known for organizing the Senior Citizens Awareness Workshop held at Mt. Carmel Baptist Church each spring, providing important information to seniors about health and wellness.
She retired from SSU in 1995. Throughout her career she was adored by all who came in contact with her and was famous for becoming a surrogate mother to many. After her retirement and a visit to California to sit in the audience at the Price is Right, she returned home restless and wanted to find something to do. Knitting was not an option, so she decided she would “feed the community” and started what came to be known as the St. Mary’s Little Soup Kitchen in 1996. The Soup Kitchen started out serving senior citizens who lived alone and either could not cook or did not want too (per Dolores) and was there for those who did not have much money and needed help. Dolores worked tirelessly to solicit donations to sustain the Soup Kitchen and through her efforts the Soup Kitchen grew and she was able to start what became known as the Annual Community Thanksgiving Dinner. By the time her health failed and she was no longer able to physically participate, she sat on the phone and conducted business. It is unknown as to how many grants she was able to have while working the phones. Throughout the 20 years the Soup Kitchen operated, thousands of meals were served and many were delivered. Dolores was very crafty at getting volunteers and always recognized those who helped. Her tradition lives on through those who continue to serve.
Dolores leaves to celebrate her life and memories her seven children, Geraldine Shelton, Preston Cottman (Charlotte), JoAnn Cottman, Janice Cottman-Waters (Jeff), Gregory Cottman (Rose), Vincent Cottman (Sharon), and Willis “Whip” Cottman (Lena); eight grandchildren, Craig McGill, Patrick Cottman, Sr., Gregory Cottman, Shayla Baldwin, Jamison White, Onika Cottman, Jana White, Brianna Cottman; 13 great grandchildren, Jeremiah and Logan McGill, Patrick Cottman, Jr, Jeylon White, Khadri-Jaree’ Cottman, Breasya Hall, Braylen Cottman, Zayla Baldwin, Gregory, Jr., Gemani, Kameron, Jha’rael and Ghamel Cottman; three sisters, Helena Wragg, Pamela Anderson (Curtis), Marquita Bivens; one brother, Lonnie Cropper; seven sisters-in-laws, Josephine Harmon, Elsie Collins, Vida Jackson (Richard), Marguerite Grant, Lucille Cook, Betty Cottman, and Rovella Cottman; two brothers-in-laws, Omar (Joyce) and Samuel Cottman, Sr. (Bernice); a host of nephews, nieces, great nephews, great nieces and a wealth of friends. She also leaves to celebrate her life and memories, three very special goddaughters, Kyana A. McGill, Devoy Taylor and Luzetta Jones. Dolores was preceded in death by brothers Donald and Jerry and sisters Connie and Carlotta.
A funeral service will be held 11:00 AM Saturday, December 1, 2018 at Mills Memorial Baptist Church, 1323 Jersey Road, Salisbury, Maryland with a viewing one-hour prior. A viewing will also be held 6:00 – 8:00 PM Friday, November 30, 2018 at Mt. Carmel Baptist Church, 30683 Hampden Avenue, Princess Anne.
Interment will be at St. Mary’s Missionary Baptist Church Cemetery, 12255 Pete’s Hill Road, Princess Anne.
4 Responses
May she rest in peace and rise in glory! How I loved Dolores Cottman, for her goodness, her generosity, her stamina, her humor, and her vision of a world where there is abundant food for all. She raised a big, talented family, too. May they all find comfort in their faith, family, friends, and happy memories. I’m sorry I will be out of town, thus missing all the formal celebrations of her life. Please know my prayers are with the family and for her soul.
Mrs. Dolores Cottman became a second mother to me in the mid-1980s while I was an undergraduate student at Salisbury University. She was the food service manager in the dining hall, and she became a central figure to me because I did not see many African-Americans in leadership roles at the University. I saw her almost every day at the dining hall when I ate breakfast, lunch, or dinner as she listened, laughed, and guided many students like me. Often she showed concern when many of us did not eat, inquiring if we were sick, stressed, or going through other personal issues. She listened to our comments about the food because, for many, it never tasted like food from home. She made improvements in the menus as she was deeply involved with the food selection. Later, I had the opportunity to develop a newsletter for Salisbury University Dining Services called The Café Express, and she became my supervisor until almost my last year of graduate study. She was the impetus behind the newsletter and kept me flooded with story ideas, nutritional information tidbits, and design suggestions. Mrs. Cottman always encouraged me to do my best and expected that same effort from others. One year I entered a design in a national food service competition and won an award. I told her, “We did it! We won!” She said, “No, you did it! You won, not me.” That is what I will remember most about her—she allowed so many others to shine, never taking the credit, often being the quiet force behind the scene but taking pride in simply getting the job done. After she retired, I saw her generosity and care continue to impact others on a much larger scale as she provided a soup kitchen for many in Princess Anne and coordinated, with the help of family and many volunteers, an annual Thanksgiving dinner for the community–at one point serving over 800 meals to area residents, many in nursing homes, and others without loved ones to share a Thanksgiving meal. In each role, whether a paid position or as a volunteer, Mrs. Cottman saw a need and made every effort to help others. What would Jesus do (WWJD)? In closing, I thank her family for sharing her with us for so many years as I am sure there were sacrifices she made that affected you for having a heart so big for others. A mother’s love is unique and irreplaceable, and I am sure you understand now the choices she made back then. She will be missed but not forgotten, for I know her goodness and kind spirit is very much alive in each of you. You have had a great mother who often remarked with fondness and love about each of you. God bless you! May her love remain with you for the rest of your lives.
Janice and Family,
Very sorry for your loss. Mrs. Cottman will long be remembered for her faithful to the community. She will be farther
remembered for her wise counsel and her relentless dedication in the culinary arts.
Even though gone, a mother’s memory will never be erased.
Janice and Family,
Very sorry for your loss. Mrs. Cottman will long be remembered for her faithfulness to the community. She will be farther
remembered for her wise counsel and her relentless dedication in the culinary arts.
Even though gone, a mother’s memory will never be erased.