... Early in his pastorate at Dodge Center, one Sabbath morning Rev. Mr. Cottrell requested of his church a leave of absence for a few weeks, as it was necessary for him to go back to New York State to attend to a very important matter. The leave of absence was freely granted. On his return he took his church people greatly by surprise, for he brought with him a bride whom they had never seen before.
She was Lilla Viola Pitts, daughter of Dr. James and Viola Green Pitts, of Friendship, N. Y. She was born in Friendship, January 10, 1859. She was married to Rev. George Montrose Cottrell at her home in Friendship October 11, 1880. She died at the home of her son James L. Cottrell, in Los Angeles, Calif., where she had come with her husband to spend the winter. She had been in frail hearlth for some time, though not confined to her bed. One night she retired in good spirits and went quietly to sleep. The nex morning she failed to awaken. Thus she passed away April 16, 1931.
Just two weeks later, to a day, on April 30, 1931, Rev. George M. Cottrell passed from this life on earth. Their long term of united lives terminated very nearly on the same date.
Sister Cottrell was graduated in 1879 from the Baxter University of Music at Friendship, N. Y. She wrote stories and articles for children's papers and for the Sabbath Recorder. Rev. Mr. Cottrell gave her great credit for her able assistance in all his pastorates, in Sabbath school work, in her musical helpfulness, and in various other needful ways.
Rev. and Mrs. Cottrell will be greatly missed by a wife circle of relatives and friends in both the East and the West. The funeral services of both were conducted by Pastor George W. Hills, of Los Angeles Calif.
Interment was in Los Angeles, Calif.
"Blessed are the dead that die in the Lord." G.W.H.
