Dr. Jabob R. Whitecotton
</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[ Dr. Jacob R. Whitecotton, 78, of Du Quoin, passed away at 1:34 p.m., Tuesday, April 15, 2008 at the Marshall Browning Hospital in Du Quoin.
Jacob was a member of the Du Quoin Church of Christ. He was a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corp., serving in the Korean War. He earned his Bachelors, Masters, and PhD from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale. Jacob began his career as a high school teacher at the Harrisburg High School in 1959 and then was Superintendent of Carrier Mills High School. For five years he was Superintendent of Elverado Schools and for one year was Superintendent at Oregon, Ill. Schools. In the school year from 1970 to 1971, Jacob became Superintendent for Du Quoin School District #300 where he served for eighteen years, retiring in 1988. He was an avid fisherman and deer hunter.
He was born October 9, 1929 at Clifford Eight, the son of Jacob A. and Rosa E. (Howard) Whitecotton.
He married Doris Mae Johnson on July 2, 1949 at the Christian Church Parsonage in Murphysboro and she survives.
He is survived by his wife of Du Quoin; two daughters, Nell Rose Southard and husband John of New Baden, and Cindy Rae Adams of Carbondale; one granddaughter, Katie Southard of New Baden; one grandson, Jacob Henry Southard of New Baden; four sisters, Paralee Deaton and husband Bill of Marion, Rosalie Nadler and husband Arnold of Benton, Phyllis McSpadden and husband Benjoe of Naperville, and Dorothy Brandon of Hurst; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; six brothers; and four sisters.
Funeral services will be at 10 a.m., Saturday, April 19, at the Searby Funeral Home in Du Quoin with Bro. Mike Shank officiating.
Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m., Friday at the Searby Funeral Home in Du Quoin.
Burial will be in the Blairsville Cemetery at Blairsville.
Memorials may be made to the Du Quoin Church of Christ Handicap Chair Lift and will be accepted at the funeral home.
For additional information or to sign the memorial guest register, please visit www.searbyfuneralhomes.com.