Leola Cothran

Leola Cothran., daughter of Pleas Starks and Lillie Harris Starks, was born July 20, 1919 in Crawfordville, Arkansas.  She was one of 15 children born to this union, five girls and ten boys.  Her parents, four sisters, and ten brothers have preceded her in death.  Her children, Eddie Starks, Shirley McGill, David Biles, and Donald Biles have also preceded her in death.

Leola moved to Missouri in 1922 to Hayti, Missouri.  She then moved to Charleston, Missouri in 1940 where she lived and raised her family.  She professed Christ as her savior at Mercy Seat Baptist Church in Charleston.

On Sunday, May 15, 2022, God called His angel home at the age of 102 years, nine months, and 25 days old.

She loved and cherished her sisters and brothers with her whole heart.  The bond of love that she had for her siblings, friends, and the community was overwhelming with love and joy.

She worked as a cook and CNA at the Charleston Manor Nursing Home.  She loved to fish, cook, and take care of her family.

She leaves to cherish six beautiful daughters, Eva Taylor, Florene Duffin, Ella Redmond, Earnestine Jones, Rosemary Ruffin, and Geraldine Biles, four wonderful sons, Richard Starks, Howard Biles, Arthur Biles, and Robert Biles, 71 grandkids, 113 great grandkids, 131 great great grandkids, three great great great grandkids, and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.

Friends may call Saturday, May 21, 2022 from 12:00 noon until the funeral hour of 1:00 P.M. at the Bowden Civic Center in Charleston, Missouri with Pastor Frankie Reed officiating. Interment will follow in Oak Grove Cemetery near Charleston, Missouri with the Williams Funeral Homes of Charleston, Missouri in charge of arrangements.