Timothy Wyatt Cotman Sr.

Timothy Wyatt Cotman, Sr. (Tim), 80, of Charles City, Virginia, went to be with the Lord on August 1, 2023. Born on October 5, 1942, he was preceded in death by his parents, Timothy and Hortense Jones Cotman, stepmother, Lorene Bradby Cotman, brother, Vernon S. Cotman, and sister, Elva A. R. Cotman. Timothy joined Gilfield Baptist Church and gave his life to Christ at an early age. He attended Ruthville High School before matriculating to Fisk University in Nashville, Tennessee, as an ‘early entrant’ in the fall of 1960. While at Fisk, he became a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. and went on to graduate with a bachelor’s degree in chemistry in June of 1964 and a master’s degree in science education in 1967. He continued his education at Virginia Tech, earning a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies in 1992 while working toward a doctoral degree in education. With a degree in chemistry, Tim began his professional career as a teacher at Ruthville High School in 1964. There he taught science in grades 7-12, including general science, chemistry, physical science, and physics until 1978. Former students have described him as tough but fair. He was also employed as a chemist by Allied Chemical in Hopewell, Virginia during that period (1968 - 1972). In 1978, he was promoted to assistant principal at the same high school, which became Charles City County High School. In 1980, Tim was employed by the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) as a Science Education Specialist until he was promoted to Staff Development Specialist in 1993. In 1995, Tim left the VDOE to direct a National Science Foundation project called Project SUCCESS until December of 1998 when he returned to the VDOE as the Curriculum and Instruction Specialist with the Governor’s Best Practice Center of Southside, Va. Upon retiring from the VDOE, he worked as an independent educational consultant. Tim lived in Charles City County his entire life, with the exception of his time spent in college in Nashville. In 1967, he married Olivia Ellen Gardner of Detroit, MI, with whom he raised three children, Nicol, Deana and Tim, Jr. He was an active member of the community, giving of his time, talents and energy as President of the Charles City Recreation Association (1968-1973), Chairman of the Organizational Committee for the Charles City Volunteer Fire Department and first President (1972), Member and Trustee Board Chairman at Gilfield Baptist Church, Member of the Board of the Virginia Mathematics and Science Coalition, Member of the Board of the Charles City Cultural Alliance, Member of the Charles City County Board of Supervisors (January 2002 - December 2011), and Member of the Charles City Spiritual Ensemble. In 1988, Tim married Sammie Choyce Blake, reconnecting many years after their initial meeting at Fisk University. Together, they enjoyed a life of love, travel and adventure while continuing to work in their community. They were known for hosting fun events at their home on the river. Tim loved spending time with family and friends. He enjoyed socializing and often displayed the Cotman wit, which is so very common with him and his siblings. Tim was a classic car enthusiast who could instantly recall the slightest change in body style from year to year on a variety of cars. He was particularly fond of convertibles, especially those painted red. He prided himself on his ability to ‘MacGyver’ things, like when he used a wire hanger to temporarily replace an accelerator cable that had broken on his ‘68 Skylark Buick. Tim was quick to encourage the younger generation to continue their educational pursuits. He believed the more education you acquired the more options you would have for your future. Tim was a fan of Motown classics with Smokey Robinson and the Miracles being one of his favorite groups and “Rainy Night in Georgia” by Brook Benton being one of his favorite songs. He dedicated years of his life to Gilfield Baptist Church, earning the designation of Trustee Emeritus in 2021. Timothy leaves to cherish his memories his devoted and loving wife of 35 years, Sammie Cotman; two daughters, Nicol Tinsley (Alfonso) of Chesterfield, VA, and Deana Miles (Marvin) of Newport News, VA; one son, Timothy Cotman, Jr. (Shanna) of Clifton, VA; brothers, Elwin Cotman and Christopher Cotman of Charles City, VA; devoted stepsister, Pamela Bradby of Henrico, VA; three stepbrothers, devoted brother Henry Bradby, Sr. (Maria) of Richmond, VA, Robert Bradby, Jr. (Anna) of Charles City, VA, and Steven Bradby, Sr. (Tonya) of Durham, NC; six grandchildren, Aliah Cotman, Marvin Miles, Jr., Jorion Tinsley, Mason Miles, Harper Cotman, and Natasha Hutchinson; one great-grandchild, Keturah; two godchildren, Zachary Smith and Sydney Smith; devoted friends, Lisa Putney-Smith, John Allen, and John Hardy; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. A funeral service will be held 1pm Saturday, August 12, 2023, at Gilfield Baptist Church 6640 Church Ln, Charles City, VA 23030. A viewing will be from 5pm-8pm, Friday August 11, 2023, at Vincent Funeral Home, 9923 Pocahontas Trail, Providence Forge, VA 23140.

Timothy Wyatt Cotman Sr.

October 5, 1942 - August 1, 2023