On the 29th day of April in the year of our Lord, nineteen-hundred and forty-eight, Harold Wayne Cottrell was born to Melvin Anderson, Sr., and Ruby Cottrell in Okmulgee, Oklahoma.

Harold pursued his education with the Okmulgee public school system, attending Attucks and Dunbar High School. After completing high school, he furthered his education by attending Langston University for three years. While at Langston University, he pledged with Alpha Phi
Alpha Fraternity Incorporated.

Harold was employed at Ball Brothers, Kelco, and East Central Electric as a Lineman. He was the Lineman Supervisor and the first African American Journeyman.

He began attending Greater Jones A.M.E. Zion Church, and later became a member of New Salem Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Reverend Willie Atwine, who appointed him to the position of Deacon. He served New Salem until his death.

Mr. Harold Wayne Cottrell, Sr., a resident of Okmulgee, received his rest on Friday, September 1, 2023, from Okmulgee.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Melvin Anderson, Sr., and Ruby Cottrell, and his siblings, Melvin Anderson, Jr., Phillip Anderson, Sherman Anderson, Gerald Anderson, and Deloise Oakley.

He is survived by his loving wife of the home, Charlene Cottrell; children, Harold Wayne (Crystal) Cottrell, Jr., Roshawn Cottrell, Dion (Kathy) Cottrell, Brandon (LeCretia) Cottrell, Christopher (Charmaine) Cottrell, Tracy Gage, and Tiffany Gage; siblings, Marvin Anderson, Sharon Anderson, Orlando Oakley, and Yvonne Lewis; twenty-seven grandchildren and sixteen great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

The Hour of Remembrance for Harold will commence on Saturday, September 9, 2023 at 1:00PM in the most holy sanctuary of Saint Matthews Missionary Baptist Church in Okmulgee, where Reverend McKinley Rice is the Gracious Host and Pastor Harold White will render the Eulogy.

You may visit Harold, as he slumbers in peaceful repose on Friday, September 8, 2023 between the hours of 1:00 PM and 6:00 PM in The Chapel of Peace of the Keith D. Biglow Funeral Directors, Inc., of Okmulgee.

The Christian Committal will immediately follow the services in the Okmulgee Cemetery in Okmulgee, Oklahoma.