Sylvia Jean Cotter Headrick

Sylvia Jean (Cotter) Headrick, of Denton, Texas passed away Friday evening, January 5, 2024, at the age of 84, after several years enduring Alzheimer’s.  She passed away knowing that she was joining her Savior and finding peace. 

Sylvia Jean Cotter was born August 2, 1939, in Townsend, Tennessee to Clell and Queenie (Adams) Cotter.  The oldest of three, she had a younger brother, Clell Cotter, Jr. and sister Sandra (Cotter) Millsaps. Growing up in Maryville during the Great Depression and World War II, her father worked at Oak Ridge.  After attending Maryville College after high school, in the fall of 1960, Sylvia married Don Headrick and they were married for 61 years. 

They had an eventful life together, moving often, due to Don’s employment serving the military at sites throughout the world.  Ultimately, Sylvia and Don and their 3 children moved 19 times living in the Far East, Europe, and multiple states. 

After finally settling down in Texas, Sylvia enjoyed cooking, sewing, Bible study, caring for her grandchildren, and looking for bargains at area outlet malls. 

Sylvia is preceded in death by her husband, parents, and siblings.  Surviving family include her siblings’ spouses, Irene (Payne) Cotter and Steve Millsaps as well as her husband’s sister Peggy (Headrick) McClintock.  She is survived by her adoring children Kelly Headrick Douthit (David), Larry Headrick (Angela), and Tracy Headrick Miller (Ben).  She is survived by her 8 grandchildren:  Rachel Douthit, Michaela Headrick, Benjamin Douthit (Lilly), Naomi Headrick Smith (Arrott), Mark Headrick, Joshua Douthit, Matthew Douthit, and Hannah Douthit.  She is survived by great-grandchild Nellis Smith.  Special friends include Judy Douthit, Nancy Mattson, Tami Sharbaugh, Nancy Haussmann, and Rowena Prather.

She always had a fondness for her East Tennessee roots and the Smokey Mountains, frequently reminiscing about her childhood there. 

The family will receive friends from 1:30 PM until 2:00 PM on Monday, January 15, 2024 at Smith’s Trinity Chapel with a funeral service to follow at 2:00 PM officiated by Rev. Chris Pass.  Family and friends will assemble for an interment service at 3:00 PM at Grandview Pavilion and Legacy Trail.