Mr. Cothe Booker, affectionately called “CP,” was born to the late Cleve and Bertha Wall Booker in Madison, N.C., on October 30, 1927. Mr. Booker departed this life and went home to live with the Lord on Sunday, December 7, 2025, in Winston-Salem, N.C. In addition to his parents and his wife, he was preceded in death by a sister, Lenora S. Kellan; and two brothers, Leroy C. Booker and Macon Scales.

He attended the public schools of Madison and was a graduate of Charles Drew High School.

CP was a member of the “greatest generation.” He was drafted into the United States Army in 1945 during WWII and gave honorable service for his country until his discharge in 1947.

He married the former Margaret Bernice Brown of Statesville, N.C., on September 27, 1961. Their blessed union lasted more than fifty years before she passed away on February 17, 2012.

Mr. Booker began a career in sales with North Carolina Mutual Life Insurance Company in Statesville in March of 1949. He excelled in his profession and was promoted to Staff Manager for the Winston-Salem District of North Carolina Mutual Life Insurance Company in 1960. During his tenure with the company, he managed the Fayetteville District from 1969 until July of 1974. He then returned to the Winston-Salem District as Manager and remained until his retirement from the company in August of 1988. While working for the company, Mr. Booker completed courses in life insurance underwriting and health insurance. He earned certification in Insurance Management in Biloxi, Miss., and completed the Dale Carnegie Management Course in 1963.

CP exercised the tenets of his faith as a member of Mount Zion Baptist Church for over fifty years. He joined Mount Zion under the pastorate of the late Dr. Kelly O. P. Goodwin. During his fellowship with the church, he gave faithful service as a Trustee and he was an integral part of the Senior Life Enrichment ministry of the church. He subsequently joined First Baptist Church (Highland Avenue) under the pastorate of Dr. Darryl W. Aaron.

Mr. Booker’s leadership abilities and community concerns garnered many requests for his service on several civic, business and nonprofit boards in the city, including but not limited to Leadership Winston-Salem, the Arts Council, Greater Winston-Salem Chamber of Commerce, Central YMCA, the Experiment in Self Reliance (ESR), Reynolds Health Advisory Board, Victory Mutual Credit Union, Mechanics and Farmers Bank, F. Roger Page Business Center, Crime Stoppers, East Winston Shopping Center Development Committee, Forsyth County Jury Commission and the Winston-Salem Economic Revolving Loan Committee. Consequently “a life of service” to his church, his community and to his fellowman became CP’s joy.

Rutledge & Bigham Mortuary is serving the family.