Troup resident recognized with Lifetime Achievement award
Apr. 24—Troup resident Phyllis Cottle received the Mildred Lucas Lifetime Achievement award during the East Texas Funeral Directors Association's spring meeting April 23 at Pine Dunes Golf Club in Frankston.
"I am so very honored to be recognized by my fellow funeral service professionals," Cottle said. "I appreciate so much the opportunity I was given to serve so many families during our years of owning our funeral homes in Troup and Overton. It was my privilege to be able to serve families at a time of their greatest need and hopefully to lessen their burden."
Cottle, who first worked in her parent's funeral home, attended mortuary school and earned her license when it was unusual for a woman to do so. Her husband, Gene Cottle, completed an internship under her license and the couple owned two funeral homes for a time.
The lifetime achievement award was named after Mildred Lucas, a funeral home owner and director in Fort Worth. Lucas was a funeral service licensee for more than 60 years. To be eligible for the annual award, one must hold a funeral service license for 40 years or more. Phyllis Cottle has been licensed since 1970.
Other considerations for the award include outstanding citizenship in the community, a high standard of ethics and professionalism, mentoring other funeral directors and support for professional organizations in their efforts to improve standards.
The award was presented on behalf of the Texas Funeral Directors Association by Past President Charlotte Chism Waldrum, of Irving.
"Phyllis's greatest asset is her attention to detail. Whether it's one of her oil paintings or serving families who have lost a loved one, her attention to even the slightest detail is important to her," Gene said. "It follows then, that her attention to detail and her empathy for those she serves makes her a great funeral service professional."
