Deacon Robert Lee Cotton, a affectionately known as "Shack," was born on November 10, 1919, in Kosciusko, MS to Henry Cotton and Alice Fletcher (both of whom preceded him in death.)
He grew up and was educated in Attala County, MS. He left Mississippi at an early age and moved to Detroit, MI. While in Michigan, he joined the United States Army and served for two years during World War II in Europe. During this time, he received the European African Middle Eastern Theater Ribbon, the Victory Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, and the Army of Occupation Medal of Germany.
After leaving the military he began working for Chrysler in Detroit and was employed there for thirty-five years until he retired. After retirement, he moved back home to Sallis, MS and built a home there. Once home, he joined New Bethel M.B. Church where he remained a faithful and devoted member and deacon until his health no longer allowed him to.
Besides, his faithfulness to his church, Deacon Cotton was also a devoted member and Mason of Billingslea Lodge 367-A of Goodman, MS until his health failed. He also spent years working relentlessly in his community to get people out to vote with Congressman Bennie Thompson.
On January 5, 2021 at the age of 101, he left this earthly life to begin his eternal life with God.
In 1957, in Detroit, MI, Robert married his first wife, Gertrude Ngomo Cotton, and remained married to her until her death in 1992.
He was the father of two daughters: Robert Pearl Bridges (who preceded him in death) of Kosciusko, MS and Sharon Yvonne Johnson of Detroit, MI/Prattville, AL.
Aside from his first wife, he married his second wife, Minnie Levy Cotton, in 1995 in Sallis, MS and they remained married until her death in 2012.
His Legacy will always be cherished and remembered by his daughter, Sharon (Michael) Johnson of Detroit, MI/Prattville, AL; grand-daughters: Robin (Elwell) Campbell of Houston, TX, Trudy (Wayne) Musgrove of San Jose, CA, Dana (Robert) Davis of Clanton, AL, and Kristina Johnson of Rochester , MN; great grandchildren, Myles Campbell of Houston, TX, Kerington Yvonne Davis and Robert Michael Davis of Clanton, AL; surviving siblings, Sam (Joyce) Stewart of Gary, IN and Emma Stewart of Jackson, MS; stepchildren, Sarah Brown (who preceded him in death), Frank Levy of St. Louis, MO, Minnie Clark of Milwaukee, WI, Bill Levy of St. Louis, MO, Nora (Walter) Polk of Pope, MS, Fred (Carrie) Levy of Waterloo, IA, Clarence (Lucille) Levy of Columbus, MS, Josephine (Larry) Riley of Kosciusko, MS, Lawrence (Vanessa) Levy of Northport, AL, Lelar (O'Neal) Keatonof Gulfport, MS and a special son, Rev. Carl Levy of Sallis, MS, and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and other close friends who loved him dearly.
PLACE OF GRAVESIDE: New Bethel Cemetery, Sallis, MS
DATE OF GRAVESIDE: Thursday 1/14/2021 at 1:00 p.m.
INTERMENT: New Bethel Cemetery, Sallis, MS
VISITATION: Wednesday 1/13/2021 at 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
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