Cothe Pearson Booker

Obituary For Cothe Pearson Booker

Cothe Person Booker, 98 of Winston Salem NC (formerly of Madison, NC) passed Sunday December 7, 2025. A memorial reception will be held Monday, December 22, 2025, from 11:00 a.m. to 12 Noon in the fellowship hall at Mt. Zion Baptist Church, 950 File St., Winston Salem, NC . Interment with military honors will follow at Collins Cemetery, Madison, NC.

Mr. Cothe Booker, affectionately called “CP,” was born to the late Cleve and Bertha Wall Booker in Madison, North Carolina on October 30, 1927. He at-
tended 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, North Carolina 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 Mutural Life Insurance Company in Statesville, NC in March, 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 1974. He then returned to the Winston Salem District as Manager and remained until his retirement from the company in August 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, MS and completed the Dale Carnegie Management Course in 1963.

CP exercised the tenets of his faith as a member of Mt. Zion Baptist Church for over fifty years. He joined Mt. 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 gamered many request 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 and Winston Lake YMCA, The Experiment of 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 Development Revolving Loan Committee. Consequently “a life of service” to his church, his community and to his fellowman became CP's joy.

Mr. Cothe Booker departed this life and went home to live with the Lord on December 7, 2020 in Winston Salem, NC. In addition to his parents and his wife, he was preceded in death by a sister, Lenora S. Kellam and two brothers, Leroy Booker and Macon Scales.

Those family members who survive and who will forever remember “CP”, include his daughter, LaFreda McKie, granddaughter, Marika McKie, great granddaughter, Madison McKie, many nieces, nephews and a number of dear friends and acquaintances.