Celebrating the life of
Ida Cottingham Traxler
April 23, 1924 - April 13, 2014
SAVANNAH - Ida Frances Cottingham Traxler "Becky", age 89, died April 13, 2014 in Savannah, Georgia.
She was predeceased by her husband of fifty-five years, Dr. Ralph Traxler, Jr., her only daughter, Julie Traxler, and by her brothers, William Hathaway, Henry Hathaway and Jesse Cottingham.
She was born in Savannah, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Liston Cottingham, and graduated from Savannah High and Armstrong Junior College before graduating from Mercer with high honors.
After her marriage she lived with her academic husband in Chicago, Florida, Decatur Emory, Mobile, Oklahoma, and Missouri, where he served as Professor and Dean. In her fifties, she received the first degree in gerontology granted by the State of Missouri. When they moved to Savannah in 1982, she received a master's from Armstrong. For ten years she directed a training program for older workers.
During that time she received eight certificates from Oxford University for summer work during which she studied the ways in which Britain cares for its elderly. Always active in volunteer work, she received a key to the City of Mobile for her work in helping build a neighborhood center for elderly women to quilt and sell their work, as well as for leadership in other cultural and patriotic groups. While serving as Regent of the d'Iberville Chapter of the DAR, she helped found the Richards DAR Historic House in Mobile. In Savannah she served on the Boards of the Savannah Widows' Society and the Huntingdon Guild. She was a member of the Savannah Chapter DAR and the Chi Omega Alumnae. At Emory and the University of South Alabama she helped found chapters of Chi Omega. As a consulting gerontologist, she organized a Savannah Parkinson's Support Group in 1983 and served on the Advisory Board that organized MedBank. She recently published her brother Henry Hathaway's autobiographical war novel and an art book on her daughter Julie's life and work.
Surviving are her son Ralph III and his wife Niki of Atlanta, her sister-in-law Carolyn Traxler, nieces Shannon Cottingham Hecklinger and Suzanna Cottingham Roberts, several other nieces and nephews and her close friends, the James Sellers family.
Visitation will be held at Islands Fox & Weeks from 4:00 pm until 6:00 pm on Tuesday, May 6, 2014 followed at a later date by a private interment.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Julie Traxler Fund, c/o Patti Corcelli, 12 Echols St., Eureka Springs, Arkansas 72632 or the First Baptist Church, Savannah.
Please sign our on-line guest book at www.foxandweeks.com
Becky was a wonderful, intelligent woman, vivacious and dynamic, who participated fully in life. Her Christmas open house for her 'girl' friends was always something we looked forward to. Becky will be missed, but memories of her will ever remain in our hearts. May you rest in peace with your beloved Ralph. love, Ann
- Ann Merritt, Savannah, GA
Becky, It was an honor working on the book with you for your daughter. God Bless from our entire family.
- Aaron F. Brantly, Washington, DC
Greg and i are so saddened to lose Becky .her husband ,Ralph ,was one of Greg's first patients on Jones Street .we've known the family for so many years and remember one day in the dental office when Dr. Traxler presented for payment a charge card which had the building where he had taught pictured on the front ! he was so accomplished and so endearing as was Becky .Becky suffered so many losses with Julie whose book we have and then Ralph ...but like other strong women she knew she carried on with gratitude and graciousness. we regret that we can't do more for the family or be there in this time but please know that everyone left behind is in our thoughts and always will be .Becky will be remembered as an amazing woman Who blessed everyone who's been lucky enough to know her. We are indeed very grateful that we are included in that number. Shirley and Greg Abbott
- Shirley Abbott, Savannah, GA
Greg and i are so saddened to lose Becky .her husband ,Ralph ,was one of Greg's first patients on Jones Street .we've known the family for so many years and remember one day in the dental office when Dr. Traxler presented for payment a charge card which had the building where he had taught pictured on the front ! he was so accomplished and so endearing as was Becky .Becky suffered so many losses with Julie whose book we have and then Ralph ...but like other strong women she knew she carried on with gratitude and graciousness. we regret that we can't do more for the family or be there in this time but please know that everyone left behind is in our thoughts and always will be .Becky will be remembered as an amazing woman Who blessed everyone who's been lucky enough to know her. We are indeed very grateful that we are included in that number. Shirley and Greg Abbott
- Shirley Abbott, Savannah, GA
Greg and i are so saddened to lose Becky .her husband ,Ralph ,was one of Greg's first patients on Jones Street .we've known the family for so many years and remember one day in the dental office when Dr. Traxler presented for payment a charge card which had the building where he had taught pictured on the front ! he was so accomplished and so endearing as was Becky .Becky suffered so many losses with Julie whose book we have and then Ralph ...but like other strong women she knew she carried on with gratitude and graciousness. we regret that we can't do more for the family or be there in this time but please know that everyone left behind is in our thoughts and always will be .Becky will be remembered as an amazing woman Who blessed everyone who's been lucky enough to know her. We are indeed very grateful that we are included in that number. Shirley and Greg Abbott
- Shirley Abbott, Savannah, GA
Greg and i are so saddened to lose Becky .her husband ,Ralph ,was one of Greg's first patients on Jones Street .we've known the family for so many years and remember one day in the dental office when Dr. Traxler presented for payment a charge card which had the building where he had taught pictured on the front ! he was so accomplished and so endearing as was Becky .Becky suffered so many losses with Julie whose book we have and then Ralph ...but like other strong women she knew she carried on with gratitude and graciousness. we regret that we can't do more for the family or be there in this time but please know that everyone left behind is in our thoughts and always will be .Becky will be remembered as an amazing woman Who blessed everyone who's been lucky enough to know her. We are indeed very grateful that we are included in that number. Shirley and Greg Abbott
- Shirley Abbott, Savannah, GA
Greg and i are so saddened to lose Becky .her husband ,Ralph ,was one of Greg's first patients on Jones Street .we've known the family for so many years and remember one day in the dental office when Dr. Traxler presented for payment a charge card which had the building where he had taught pictured on the front ! he was so accomplished and so endearing as was Becky .Becky suffered so many losses with Julie whose book we have and then Ralph ...but like other strong women she knew she carried on with gratitude and graciousness. we regret that we can't do more for the family or be there in this time but please know that everyone left behind is in our thoughts and always will be .Becky will be remembered as an amazing woman Who blessed everyone who's been lucky enough to know her. We are indeed very grateful that we are included in that number. Shirley and Greg Abbott
- Shirley Abbott, Savannah, GA
I am sad to hear of Ida's passing. She was my mother's Gladys Cordray roommate at Mercer University. Ida was an inspiration. She endured some hard losses and found creative outlets to celebrate the lives of those she lost. I have prints of Julie's on my wall that she generously sent to me when I admired them. I had no idea she had accomplished all that was mentioned in her obituary, but I am not at all surprised. My condolences to her family.
- Marian Robbins, Atascadero, CA
When I'm sad now, I think of you & I smile. You were not just a Aunt to me but a 2nd Mother to me. I'm sad you are gone, but so PROUD to have had you in my Life. I will always remember what you said to me on the way to the doctor. You were a smart Lady. I love & Miss you. Love ya, Suzy
- Suzy C. Roberts, Savannah, GA
Becky was a wonderful, intelligent woman, vivacious and dynamic, who participated fully in life. Her Christmas open house for her 'girl' friends was always something we looked forward to. Becky will be missed, but memories of her will ever remain in our hearts. May you rest in peace with your beloved Ralph. love, Ann
- Ann Merritt, Savannah, GA
Becky, It was an honor working on the book with you for your daughter. God Bless from our entire family.
- Aaron F. Brantly, Washington, DC
Greg and i are so saddened to lose Becky .her husband ,Ralph ,was one of Greg's first patients on Jones Street .we've known the family for so many years and remember one day in the dental office when Dr. Traxler presented for payment a charge card which had the building where he had taught pictured on the front ! he was so accomplished and so endearing as was Becky .Becky suffered so many losses with Julie whose book we have and then Ralph ...but like other strong women she knew she carried on with gratitude and graciousness. we regret that we can't do more for the family or be there in this time but please know that everyone left behind is in our thoughts and always will be .Becky will be remembered as an amazing woman Who blessed everyone who's been lucky enough to know her. We are indeed very grateful that we are included in that number. Shirley and Greg Abbott
- Shirley Abbott, Savannah, GA
Greg and i are so saddened to lose Becky .her husband ,Ralph ,was one of Greg's first patients on Jones Street .we've known the family for so many years and remember one day in the dental office when Dr. Traxler presented for payment a charge card which had the building where he had taught pictured on the front ! he was so accomplished and so endearing as was Becky .Becky suffered so many losses with Julie whose book we have and then Ralph ...but like other strong women she knew she carried on with gratitude and graciousness. we regret that we can't do more for the family or be there in this time but please know that everyone left behind is in our thoughts and always will be .Becky will be remembered as an amazing woman Who blessed everyone who's been lucky enough to know her. We are indeed very grateful that we are included in that number. Shirley and Greg Abbott
- Shirley Abbott, Savannah, GA
Greg and i are so saddened to lose Becky .her husband ,Ralph ,was one of Greg's first patients on Jones Street .we've known the family for so many years and remember one day in the dental office when Dr. Traxler presented for payment a charge card which had the building where he had taught pictured on the front ! he was so accomplished and so endearing as was Becky .Becky suffered so many losses with Julie whose book we have and then Ralph ...but like other strong women she knew she carried on with gratitude and graciousness. we regret that we can't do more for the family or be there in this time but please know that everyone left behind is in our thoughts and always will be .Becky will be remembered as an amazing woman Who blessed everyone who's been lucky enough to know her. We are indeed very grateful that we are included in that number. Shirley and Greg Abbott
- Shirley Abbott, Savannah, GA
Greg and i are so saddened to lose Becky .her husband ,Ralph ,was one of Greg's first patients on Jones Street .we've known the family for so many years and remember one day in the dental office when Dr. Traxler presented for payment a charge card which had the building where he had taught pictured on the front ! he was so accomplished and so endearing as was Becky .Becky suffered so many losses with Julie whose book we have and then Ralph ...but like other strong women she knew she carried on with gratitude and graciousness. we regret that we can't do more for the family or be there in this time but please know that everyone left behind is in our thoughts and always will be .Becky will be remembered as an amazing woman Who blessed everyone who's been lucky enough to know her. We are indeed very grateful that we are included in that number. Shirley and Greg Abbott
- Shirley Abbott, Savannah, GA
Greg and i are so saddened to lose Becky .her husband ,Ralph ,was one of Greg's first patients on Jones Street .we've known the family for so many years and remember one day in the dental office when Dr. Traxler presented for payment a charge card which had the building where he had taught pictured on the front ! he was so accomplished and so endearing as was Becky .Becky suffered so many losses with Julie whose book we have and then Ralph ...but like other strong women she knew she carried on with gratitude and graciousness. we regret that we can't do more for the family or be there in this time but please know that everyone left behind is in our thoughts and always will be .Becky will be remembered as an amazing woman Who blessed everyone who's been lucky enough to know her. We are indeed very grateful that we are included in that number. Shirley and Greg Abbott
- Shirley Abbott, Savannah, GA
I am sad to hear of Ida's passing. She was my mother's Gladys Cordray roommate at Mercer University. Ida was an inspiration. She endured some hard losses and found creative outlets to celebrate the lives of those she lost. I have prints of Julie's on my wall that she generously sent to me when I admired them. I had no idea she had accomplished all that was mentioned in her obituary, but I am not at all surprised. My condolences to her family.
- Marian Robbins, Atascadero, CA
When I'm sad now, I think of you & I smile. You were not just a Aunt to me but a 2nd Mother to me. I'm sad you are gone, but so PROUD to have had you in my Life. I will always remember what you said to me on the way to the doctor. You were a smart Lady. I love & Miss you. Love ya, Suzy
- Suzy C. Roberts, Savannah, GA
Services under the direction of:
Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel
912-352-7200
