Obituary of Olga Edwards Cothran

Olga Edwards Cothran of West Columbia, SC, age 90, passed away in her sleep April 21, 2022.  Olga was born October 27, 1931 to Olga Briggs Edwards and Raymond Lafayette Edwards.

She grew up in the Elmwood neighborhood of Columbia during the Great Depression and World War II.  Somewhat sickly as a child, she blossomed after entering the University of South Carolina in 1948.  She helped lead more than half a dozen groups on campus, including being president of Zeta Tau Alpha and chairman of the Hypatian Library Society.  She was named an Outstanding Senior in 1951, primarily for her work as main editor of “The Gamecock” newspaper.

Olga began a lifetime commitment to James Elijah “Jim” Cothran when they married on December 15, 1951.  Their union produced four children, eight grandchildren, and five great grandchildren.  Jim passed away August 5, 2019.

Olga earned her Masters in Education in 1968 and her teaching career spanned over fifty years in Lexington and Richland counties.  She was also a lifelong member of First Baptist Church in Columbia, SC.

Olga is survived by her brother-in-law, Bill Cothran; her sister-in-law, Naomi Cothran; her children, Jimmy Cothran (Melissa), Olga Payne (Woodberry), Raymond Cothran (Teresa), and Jeremy Cothran (Penny); her grandchildren, Joshua Cothran, Phillip Cothran (Kristen), Jason Cothran (Meagan), Joel Cothran, Jordan Cothran, Nathan Cothran, Josiah Cothran, and Evie Cothran; and great-grands, Isaac, Titus, Joseph, Drew, and Luke.

She was predeceased by her husband, Jim, and her sister, Evelyn.

Visitation will be Monday, April 25th from 1:00pm to 2:00pm in Boyce Chapel at First Baptist Church in Columbia, SC. Funeral service will follow and congregants will then proceed to Elmwood cemetery for graveside service.