Fannie Lee Hamlett Kotara, lovingly known by all as "Cookie" , was born on April 30, 1949 , in Phenix, Virginia, and entered into eternal rest on August 22, 2026, in Killeen, Tx, following a long and difficult battle with dementia.

Cookie was a devoted Christian whose life was a beautiful reflection of faith , love, and quiet strength. She was a loving, kind, and spirited woman whose presence brought warmth and comfort to everyone fortunate enough to know her. She will be remembered with deep love and affection by her family and friends. 

Cookie was the beloved wife of Larry Kotara and a cherished mother to three children, Lisa Hawkins, Scott Rose, and Kevin Rose. As well as two bonus children, Lance and Jason Kotara, Cookie is Survived by her sister Shirley Tuck and Distant Sister Rose Marie Anthony and Barbara Mann, Grandchildren Ashton Phillips, Robert Hawkins IV and Aspen Kotara and great-grandchildren Bentley and Leia Phillips. Each of them carries forward the memory of her gentle heart, unwavering love, and steadfast devotion. She treasured her role as a wife and mother and was fiercely protective of the family she loved. Her strength , loyalty , and determination in caring for those closet to her became one of the qualities for which she was most well known.

After completing her high school education, Cookie worked for Texas Instruments and at Fort Hood as an Electronics Technician. She was a fast and efficient productive worker. cookie was wise and street smart and a survivor, and co-workers would come to her for wisdom and guidance. She was respected for her education , integrity, and the care she brought to everything she did. 

Cookie found joy in the simple, meaningful blessings of everyday life. She especially cherished time spent with family and looked forward to Thanksgiving and Christmas gatherings surrounded by the people she loved. Cookie gave from her heart to anyone in need, including family , friends, people on the street, St.Jude Hospital ,a nd her church, and in her child and teenage years worked with the Salavation Army. She held great respect and honor for the military service members as well as firefighters and the police, and often in restaurants would thank them for their service and quietly pay for their meals. She enjoyed reading her bible, Listening to a variety of music including Christian music, love songs, and music from country to disco to rock and roll. 

Cookie's passing leaves a profound void in the hearts of her family and friends. Yet, the love she gave and the example she set will continue to live on in all who knew her. Her earthly journey may have come to an end, but her legacy of faith, devotion, tenderness, and strength remains in the hearts of those she leaves behind.

May those who mourn her find comfort in knowing she has eternal life in Christ Jesus. Though she is no longer with us in body, the love she shared will never be forgotten.

She will be dearly missed, deeply loved, and forever remembered.

Until We Meet Again.