Tennie Cottle

Tennie B. Cottle was born Tennie B. Foster on July 2, 1941, to Nathaniel and Bythan (Wilson) Foster in Tomato, Arkansas. She made her final transition to her eternal home on Tuesday, June 19, 2018.   In Tennie’s early childhood she was a Migrant along with her parents moving from State to State following the Harvest. They settled in Fort Wayne, IN then Mother Cottle and her 2 boys, Kenley and Johnny Foster, 6 daughters Bythane Foster, Terri Lee Foster (died as an infant), Ruby Foster, Delane McCauley, Early Day-Fuller and Burnisteen Wilderness finally settled in Benton Harbor, MI.   On May 29, 1993 she married Horace Cottle in Benton Harbor. After their union more children  were added to the family, Lutonya, Carlotta, Raffeyel, Rosarah, Yvonne and Leo Cottle.   Tennie, affectionately called “Tent” or “Tennie B” was a lover of people.  She had a heart for people and would do whatever she could for anybody.  She loved to feed people and running her Food Pantry was the joy of her life. She never met a stranger and would invite people to come stay with her if they didn’t have a place to sleep.   Mother Cottle was a member of Power House Church of God in Christ under the leadership of her father, Elder Nathaniel Foster. While at Power House she became a Licensed Missionary under Mother Belvins. She was a member Morning Star Church God in Christ and served as District Missionary with Superintendent Elijah Wright, Sr. After some time she became a member of Unity Temple Church of God in Christ where she served for over 20 years.  She served on the Mother’s Board, Licensed Evangelist Missionary and ran the Food Pantry. Mother Cottle enjoyed decorating the Sanctuary for her Pastor and Wife’s Anniversary every year. Mother Cottle was the Prayer and Bible Band President and worked with the Widow’s Club and other Auxiliaries of Western Michigan Jurisdiction.   She is survived by her children, Kenley Foster of Mount Pleasant, MI, Johnny Foster, Raffeyel Cottle of Benton Harbor, MI, and Leo Cottle of Saint Louis, MI; Daughters Bythane Foster, Ruby Clark, Early Day-Fuller, Burnisteen Wilderness and Yvonne Cottle all of Benton Harbor, Lutonya Cottle of South Bend, IN, Carlotta Reed and Rosarah Cottle of Kalamazoo, MI; siblings, Betty Burton, Willie Foster, Dollie Shephard, Pearl Lewis, 5 Step-sister and 6 Step-brothers, 32 grandchildren, 35 great-grandchildren and 5 great great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, Nathaniel and Bythan Foster; husband Horace Cottle, two daughters Terry Lee Foster and Delane McCauley and 2 grandsons and several brothers and sisters.