Murlene Cottrell, 88, of Gaffney, widow of Benjamin H. Cottrell, passed away Wednesday, March 10, 2010, at 2:30 p.m. at Upstate Carolina Medical Center, Gaffney.

Daughter of the late Lucious Littlejohn and the late Ella Mae Jones Littlejohn, she was born Sept. 28, 1921, in Cherokee County. She was an active member of Simmons Memorial Baptist Church and a former member of Limestone Missionary Baptist Church. She was a 1939 graduate of Granard High School and a 1941 graduate of Friendship Junior College, Rock Hill.

She is survived by her son, Benjamin H. Cottrell Jr. of Charlottesville, Va.; three sisters, her twin, Mattie L. Wood and Kansie L. Ratchford (Roy P.), both of Gaffney, and Hellen Stringer of Los Angeles, Calif.; two brothers, Dr. Lucious Littlejohn (Mildred) and Rev. Myles Littlejohn (Lonnie), both of Cleveland, Ohio; three grandchildren, Kimalee Dickerson (Lorenzo) and Kevin D. Cottrell, both of Charlotesville, Va., and Benjamin L. Cottrell of Hampton, Va.; a daughter in-law, Cheryl Cottrell; a special niece, Elaine Fields of Gaffney; a special god-sister, Lillie Jones of Gaffney; and a host of other relatives.

Services will be held Tuesday, March 16, at 11 a.m. at Limestone Missionary Baptist Church with the Rev. Michael L. Golden officiating.

Graveside services and interment will be at Maryland National Memorial Park, 13300 Baltimore Ave., Laurel, Md.

The family is at the home of her niece, Elaine Fields, 100 Mimosa Drive, Gaffney.

Arrangements by Foster Funeral Home.