Darryl Gerard Cottle, 56, of Kingsland departed this physical life on Saturday, April 17, 2021, at Southeast Georgia Health System in Brunswick.
Darryl Gerard Cottle was born July 9, 1964, in Miami, Florida, to the parents of Ruby Lee White Linder and Leosdia Cottle. He was educated in the public schools of Camden County and was a graduate of the Camden County High School Class of 1983. At a very young age, Darryl joined Clinch Chapel United Methodist Church of White Oak (Tarboro community).
Darryl was a member of the high school band and later became a teammate of the Camden County High Wildcats during the years 1980-1983. He earned several awards while on the team, including player of the week on several occasions.
Immediately after graduating from high school, Darryl enlisted into the United States Army. While in the Army, Darryl started his recruiting career in 1993 as an Army recruiter in Chicago. After becoming a successful field recruiter, he was promoted to the position of recruiting station commander, where he supervised ten Army recruiters. In 1999, he was transferred to College Station, Texas, where he supervised 11 Army Recruiters.
In later years, Darryl became the Houston Recruiting Battalion senior Army recruiter trainer and trained recruiters along with station commanders in all of southeast Texas. He was awarded the following certifications: equal opportunity certification, career counselor certification, recruiting management and recruiter trainer certification, Department of Veterans Affairs Veterans Benefits Administration certification and the U.S. Army Recruiter Ring. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in business management (magna cum laude) from LeTourneau University in Longview, Texas.
Darryl served his country for 20 years. After retiring from the Army in 2003 as a sergeant first class (SFC), Darryl took his recruiting and staffing skills to the private sector. He later moved to Kingsland to reside with his sister Lisa.
Those left to cherish and treasure his memories are his mother and stepfather, Ruby Lee White Linder (Columbus), Woodbine; father, Leosdia Cottle, Miami; daughter, Heather Ava Cottle, Chicago; devoted caregiver and sister, Lisa White Hamilton (Antonio Sr.), Kingsland; aunts, Lauretta Randolph, Jannie White Blake (Sammy) and Bernice White, all of Tarboro, and Patricia White, Atlanta; uncles, Larry White (Marvain), Kingsland and Stanley White, Tarboro; nieces and nephews, Dominique Jacobs, Ralph Wade Jr., Darrell Washington Jr., Antonio Hamilton Jr., Natiya, Christiona, MacKenzie, Maddox, Ava and Jet; three special friends, Marcus Hill, McDonald Knight and Woodrow “Tank” Reed; a special son, Dwayne Oakley and special friend, Sharron Jones of Greenville, North Carolina.
Darryl had many more loving family and friends along with many co-workers who will miss him dearly. His contagious smile and life will be remembered forever.
Graveside funeral services will be held at noon Saturday, May 1, at Evergreen Cemetery in White Oak. A walk-thru visitation will be held from 6 to 7 p.m. on Friday, April 30, at Sunset Funeral Home. Masks and social distancing are required.
Sunset Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.