Our beloved mother and matriarch of our family, Mary Lois Cotton made her transition home peacefully on February 18, 2021 at the age of 96.

She received her early education in a one room schoolhouse in Kosciusko, Mississippi. She accepted the Lord at a young age, becoming a member of Pleasant Hill Missionary Baptist Church.

On October 5, 1941, she united in holy matrimony to the late Zebadee Cotton. Their union was blessed with five children. In 1964, they moved their family to Milwaukee, WI.

In 1973, they joined Unity Gospel House of Prayer, becoming the first head deacon and deaconess under the leadership of Apostle Elbridge Lock and Prophetess Naomi Lock.

Our mother, Mary had a passion for cooking and boy could she cook. She put love into everything she touched and was a cook at several establishments in Milwaukee.

Upon returning to Kosciusko in 1982, she became a member of Christian Liberty Baptist Church, where she served with the Mission Ministry. Mary was also a member of the Ruth Chapter #54, Order of the Eastern Star.

Mary was preceded in death by her husband; Zedadee Cotton; son, Ruben Cotton Sr. (Dub); mother, Esma Joiner; father, Billy Wigley; sister, Virtus Canada; and brother, Henry Clay Joiner.

Cherishing her loving memory; a daughter, Beverly (Robert) Kern; three sons, Lonnie (Edith) Cotton, Bill (Rhonda) Cotton, and Troy (Rhonda) Cotton Sr.; thirteen grandchildren, Annette McCray, Ruben Cotton Jr., Alonzo Williams, Chiquita Melton, Jamila Benson, Vita Williams, Ravonte (Lakeytheia) Danztler, Jessica (Charles) Huff, Shalonna Melton, Demetrius Melton, Azeeza Ahki, Raymond (Dagenais) Keith, Troy (Cortina) Cotton Jr.; twenty-seven great-grandchildren, Reva (Brian) Johnson, Renee Lovett, El Tunta Lovett, Lamont Lovett, Kayla Cotton, Noah Cotton, Sai Cotton, Aaron Melton, Edith Melton, Kareem Benson-White, Akhirah Benson, Tatiyana Williams, Amarea Dantzler, Alayah Dantzler, Amire Williams-Stribling, BJ Collins, Jariel Cunningham, Jazell Cunningham, DaJere Keith, Zearion Keith, Kelonni Keith, Xiomara Keith, Asia Parks, Kyng Keith, Jordan Jamerson-Mitchell, Taylor Cotton, Cali Cotton; two great-great grandchildren, Na’Bri Johnson and Brian Johnson Jr.; sister-in-law, Frances Jones-Sneed, and a host of loving nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

PLACE OF GRAVESIDE: Pleasant Hill Cemetery

DATE OF GRAVESIDE: Friday 3/5/2021 at 12:00 noon

INTERMENT: Pleasant Hill Cemetery, Kosciusko, MS

VISITATION: Friday, 3/5/2021 10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. at Winters Funeral Home