Nona Crane Cothran

AIKEN - Nona Crane Cothran, one of Aiken’s most prominent retired residents, died early Friday at her home. She was 92. Mrs. Cothran came to Aiken in 1968 when her late husband, Samuel A. Cothran, became publisher of The Aiken Standard. The family moved into one of Aiken’s “winter cottages” in the historic district and soon became familiar figures in the community’s business, civic and social scenes. The daughter of Thomas Edward and Eva Owens Crane of Allendale, Mrs. Cothran was born Aug. 29, 1918 in Savannah, Ga., and grew up in Allendale. She attended Coker College in Hartsville, S.C. and earned a B.A. degree from the University of South Carolina. She also joined Alpha Delta Pi and remained in touch with the sorority for most of her life. After graduation, she became a social worker in Allendale County. She and Mr. Cothran were married at Fort Benning, Ga., on April 8, 1942. She remained in Allendale with her parents and first child during World War II, after which the Cothrans lived for 23 years in Charleston. There Mrs. Cothran became an active member of First (Scots) Presbyterian Church, the Garden Club of Charleston and the Carolina Assembly. After moving to Aiken in 1968, she was active in the First Presbyterian Church, the community ACTS ministry and other civic activities. She was a longtime member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, serving in the Rebecca Motte chapter in Charleston and the Henry Middleton Chapter in Aiken. An avid gardener at her three-acre home, Mrs. Cothran participated in the Green Gardeners Club and several flower shows. Mrs. Cothran was predeceased by her younger sister, Jane Owens Crane. Survivors include her three sons, Samuel A. Cothran, Thomas C. Cothran, and Frank C. Cothran; three daughters-in-law, Cecile L. Cothran, Virginia W. Cothran and Carolyn H. Cothran; seven grandchildren, Perrin C. Conrad, Amelia H. Cothran, Julia C. Testa, Virginia C. Cothran, Alexander C. Cothran, Evan T. Cothran and Carleigh R. Cothran and two great-grandchildren, Kristopher Samuel Conrad and Madeline C. Testa. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM Monday at First Presbyterian Church with the Reverend Dr. David Cozad and Jane Keisler officiating. The family will receive friends following the service in the fellowship hall. Interment will be held at 4:00 PM in Edgewood Cemetery, Greenwood, SC. The family has requested that memorials be sent to the First Presbyterian Church Angel Fund, 224 Barnwell Ave., Aiken, SC 29801. Mrs. Cothran's online guest book may be signed at www.shellhousefuneralhome.com. SHELLHOUSE FUNERAL HOME, INC., 924 HAYNE AVE., AIKEN, SC To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Nona Crane Cothran, please visit our flower store.