Barbara Rose Cothran Gola, age 82, passed away peacefully on May 21, 2025, at Elizabethtown Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center. She was born on December 24, 1942, in Lumberton, NC. She owned and operated The Charmette beauty salon for many years and was a beauty convention consultant, an accredited pageant judge and an active member of Robeson Little Theater. She later found success in a career change to vacation ownership and won several awards in that industry. After retirement Barbara became very active in local political campaigns and in fundraising for the Allenton Fire Department and Ladies Auxiliary. She also began writing for the Robeson Living magazine and a social media posting that became known as the "Big Swamp News". She was called Queen of the Big Swamp. She loved her community and was a lifelong member of Antioch Baptist Church.

Barbara was preceded in death by her parents, James Ira Cothran and Cleo Britt Cothran; her husband, Daniel Brian Gola; and her brother, Jimmy Nash Cothran.

She is survived by her daughter, Tara Prezimirski and husband Steve of Summerville, SC; her granddaughter, Addison Prezimirski of Philadelphia, PA; her brother, Andrew Pearlis Cothran of Fayetteville, NC; several cousins, nieces and nephews, and many special friends.

A celebration of her spectacular life will be held at Floyd Mortuary in Lumberton on Saturday, May 24, with visitation at 4 pm and service at 5 pm. Burial will immediately follow at Gardens of Faith cemetery.

Flowers are welcome, but we also suggest donations in her honor to the Allenton Fire Department, Ladies Auxiliary or any local animal shelter or rescue foundation.

More than anything we appreciate the outpouring of love and kindness as we learn to live without her physical presence.