Charlotte Cotting White
1947 - 2026
Charlotte Cotting White only wanted to be called Cotting- never Charlotte. She was born February 25, 1947 and died in the wee hours of July 30th, 2026. Cotting grew up in Durham, NC, one of five children of Finley Tomlinson White and Jane Dinsmoor White.
Regardless of whatever job she held at the time, she always referred to herself as and identified as an Artist. Cotting lived by her own compass and it took her on many an adventure. From spending time in France as an exchange student in her youth to teaching US Army dependent school in Thailand during the Vietnam War, a stint living on the coast in Senegal to finding a true home in the Yucatan, Mexico for many years before returning to the US for her final years, she loved engaging new people, cultures and artforms. In addition to living abroad, she travelled extensively around the world.
Cotting spent much of her adult life living in New Bedford, Massachusetts where she was a member artist of her beloved Gallery X which she talked about until her final weeks. She had many beloved friends in New England.
When she was first married and raising a family she lived in Mount Airy, NC and though she was only there for 10 years at the time, she made deep and lasting friendships which brought her back to Mount Airy for her final independent years, after an over 35-year absence, where she was surrounded by these dear old friends and made many new ones.
Cotting also had a community of friends in Mexico who she loved and cherished deeply.
She spent her final three years close to her daughters, Julie and Lee, and their families and the last two with the tribe of friends she made at Clemmons Village Assisted Living in Clemmons, NC.
Cotting is the first among her siblings to venture into the Great Unknown and leaves three brothers, a sister and their families. Her sister-in-law, Lyn, ventured ahead of her just months ago.
Her daughter Lee started having dreams of Cotting as a butterfly during her final weeks and family have felt visited by Cotting in the form of butterflies. Cotting was an amazing organic gardener and therefore her family asks that in lieu of flowers, you plant some Milkweed or other native pollinator plants in Cotting’s memory or donate to a local organization that does. Say hi to the next butterfly you see, you never know…
A Celebration of Cotting’s Life will be held at 1pm on Sunday September 13th at Tanglewood Park in Clemmons, NC in Shelter Number One. All who loved and cared about her are welcome. Please contact her daughter Julie (padoolie@gmail.com) if you’d like to sign up to bring a food item and so that we have an idea of how many will be there. However, please come whether you can bring food or not or whether you have let us know or not. It will be casual, as you might expect if you knew Cotting.
In honor of a beautifully lived life and legacy that touched so many lives and hearts.
Cotting touched me as a lifelong seeker of nature, beauty and art. I could resonate and laugh with the many memories she shared. She lived life with an abandon that sought uncharted worlds. I’m glad I got to know her through her daughters and grandchildren, who are amazing humans!
Cotting must have had a butterfly in her genes. If it was beautiful and had nectar she was attracted to it. Even better she could capture its special appeal in her diverse art forms. Never one to capture a lot of anything, she could capture a lot of many things, colorfully! True of nature, true of friends! She will be missed on earth and welcomed in heaven! Fly away sister!
Cotting moved next door to me in 2016. I didn’t get to meet her until after my mom passed. She was there for me during my grief. She would drag me out to go to estate sales. She would bring me the most wonderful soups she made and other dishes. She gave me gardening advice. I loved to hear her stories of all her adventures. I remember her daily just by the flowers she planted. I also expect to see her visit the butterfly bush she planted.
I knew Cotting in Mexico. She was a character, an amazing character and woman. I always enjoyed her company and sense of humor. I helped her get ready to move, with several sales. I’m happy to say I have a small painting of hers and a stunning lapiz necklace she gifted me. Ive missed her being here, and she no longer responded on FB. I’ll think of you each time I see butterflies sweet lady.
What a treasure and talented woman. I have many of her painted photos in my home in Mexico. Fly high my friend !
I had the pleasure of meeting Voting in Mexico. I still remember some of her beautiful paintings. She was fun and kind, a soul you will never forget. RIP
When I first mived to the Chelem, Yucatan area, Cotting was such a welcoming soul. I so enjiyed her company and her love and talent for art. She gifted me two pieces of her art using found objects from the beach which I love and enjoy every day. Fly high butterfly.🥰
I had the pleasure of taking care of Cotting when she came to the assisted living facility that I work in. She was one of my very favorite residents. I loved listening to her tell me about things she enjoyed doing when she was younger and the places she lived and had traveled to. Before Cotting’s passing, I would spend two hours every morning after I clocked out of work, I would sit in her room with her, just playing music, feeding her breakfast, and talking to her. And at night I’d bring her the food she’d ask for. I had to make sure she ate! I’m definitely going to miss this wonderful soul! 💕
Never met you in person but your Reflections are in my two beautiful sisters Julie and Lee (your daughters) . Their life is a reflection of you ❤️ and we give thanks to God for the life you lived and for the incredible daughters who became my sisters despite me being from Africa. I cherish them and will always adore them just as you did. So long adorable Cotting (as you were affectionately known). Rest Easy ❤️ Lamiel Phiri Zimbabwe 🇿🇼
You will always be my cherished friend who was there for me, many years ago. I love you much and you are looking down with big smile for all. Sending great energies up to you my dear. Much love ❤️
There are no words to discribe our frienship. I was looking at my purple crype myrtle..full of blooms which I never saw last year. I also notice Gardenia reblooming which is also quite rare. Late Wednesday night..July the 29th, I was driving home from work and was admiring the beautiful full moon which had a special glow. I went ouside at 2 am to see it again. The universe has a way of showing us that we are all connected. I will always cherish you my dear.
I had the pleasure meeting her during her teaching years at Surry Community College. I enrolled in every class she taught. She became a fast friend that I would visit often. Sweet memories of her on field trips to draw wildflowers…
Cotting was a great introduction for us to North Carolina, particularly for its outstanding clay, learned while attending her pottery class at Surry CC. Daffodils descendants from Mount Airy house1 now surround our house, as well as English ivy from Durham .
Eventually she was drawn to turning a barn into a home in New Bedford. Stories of her job of helping convicts transition to a the “ouside” gave us a glimpse of her new life. Rocks we collected on Mass. coast still reside in our garden.
Then there was Chuburna, Houston and Mount Airy2. Some of her favorite jaunts: textile hunting in Campeche, Texas Hill Country Wineries, Goodwill, and her to her small garden in Clemmons Village. Taking her there, our last jaunt.
Her energy for art, travel, good food, and gardening never waned.
She rarely complained of pain. She was an inspiration.
She encouraged my art endeavors as well as many artists in Mexico, maybe New Bedford. That was evident in her home. .
Her gutsy, brilliant pottery has surrounded us in or home. It brightens our day.
I remember cotting at Surry community college and I also think she lived off Gillespie street in Dobson. I was also friends with gunasehare shunmugamm and would love for Guna to reach out to me. I am on Facebook and will reach out any way possible.