December 17, 2025, 86, Goldsboro – Ned Able Cottle, sadly passed away peacefully at home, on December 17th, 2025, at the age of 86.
Ned was a caring, thoughtful, and wise man who was always there when anyone needed him.
Born in Duplin County on March 4, 1939, Ned grew up without his father, who passed away months before his birth. This loss shaped his determination to be the best man, husband, father and grandfather he could be.
Ned was a well-loved member of his communities in Faison and Goldsboro, North Carolina, as well as in Florida.
Ned, was a proud graduate of North Duplin High School in Faison, Class of 1958, and later attended Hardbarger Business College in Raleigh. He also served his country in the military reserves.
After his service, Ned returned home to Faison to continue the family farming tradition. In 1963, he planted his first crop of strawberries and quickly became one of the largest strawberry growers on the East Coast. By the early 1970s, recognizing the need to connect more directly with consumers, Ned pioneered the concept of “you-pick” strawberry farms in North Carolina. His original farm in Goldsboro grew to cover much of Eastern North Carolina, and from this vision he founded Cottle Farms, Inc., serving as CEO until his passing. Today, his innovation has grown into a thriving agritourism sector that benefits farmers everywhere.
Beyond farming, Ned was a man of many passions. He was an avid fisherman who loved spending time on the water with family and friends, especially his son, Ron and his best friend, Hugh Oates of Mt. Olive. He dedicated many years as a volunteer firefighter for the Faison Fire Department, and he served on the Board of Directors for Branch Banking and Trust. He also loved riding horses and passed that passion on to his daughter, Joy, teaching her to be an avid rider.
Ned is survived by his wife, Janet Coley Cottle; daughter, Joy Dawn Cottle; son, Ron Cottle and wife Teresa; grandchildren, Chase Cottle, Hunter Bulloch and wife Laura, and Lauren Bulloch Freeman and husband Cody; and great-grandchildren, Hunter Grace Bulloch, Adeline Bulloch, Chandler Freeman, Dawson Freeman and Adelyn Cottle. He is also survived by Janet’s family: daughters, Renee Bryan Marshall and husband Henry and Sherri Bryan Smith and husband Richard; and grandchildren, Allen Smith, Andrew Smith, Hank Marshall, Jack Marshall and Brianna Smith.
Ned was preceded in death by his parents, Nettie Lee Carroll Cottle and James Clarence Cottle; wife, Joyce Price Cottle; brothers, James Cottle, Will Cottle, John Cottle, Bobby Cottle, Tommy Cottle and Lee Cottle; and sister, Mary Dallas Cottle Sutton.
A service to celebrate Ned’s life will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, December 21, 2025 at The First Church in Goldsboro with Pastor Bill Rose officiating. Entombment will follow the service at 4:00 p.m. in the cemetery at Turkey Baptist Church.
Ned’s legacy lives on through his children and grandchildren, to whom he passed down his love of farming and real estate investing. His wisdom, vision, and entrepreneurial spirit will continue to inspire generations of his family and community.
Flowers are welcome or memorials may be given in Ned’s memory to The First Church, 1100 The First Church Road, Goldsboro, NC 27534 or to Tunnels to Towers Foundation, 2361 Hylan Blvd., Staten Island, NY 10306.
The family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to the compassionate staff of Gentiva Hospice for the exceptional care provided to Ned and his family.
