Mr. Hershell Joseph Cotton

COTTON, Mr. Hershell Joseph - Age 80, passed away Saturday, April 25, 2015 at Genesys Convalescent Center - Grand Blanc, MI. Family hour 10 a.m. Monday, May 4, 2015 at First Trinity Missionary Baptist Church, 1226 Beach St., with funeral service commencing at 10:30 a.m. Pastor Ezra L. Tillman Jr. officiating. Interment Great Lakes National Cemetery, G-4200 Bedford Rd., Holly, MI. Friends and pallbearers will assemble at the church 10 a.m. Monday. Mr. Cotton will lie in state in the Chapel of Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home, 906 W. Flint Park Blvd., and may be viewed from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Sunday. Mr. Hershell Joseph Cotton (80) peacefully took his last earthly breath and joined our Lord in his Heavenly Home, on April 25, 2015. Family hour 10 a.m. Monday, May 4 2015 at First Trinity Missionary Baptist Church with funeral service commencing at 10:30 a.m. Rev. Ezra Tillman, Jr. officiating. Interment Great Lakes National Cemetery, 4200 Belford, Holly, MI. Mr. Cotton will lie in state in the Chapel of Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home, 906 W. Flint Park Blvd. and may be viewed from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday. Born in Cincinnati, Ohio on June 7, 1934 the only son born of Joseph Cotton and Minnie (Wynn) Cotton, Joseph, attended Cincinnati public schools and spent most of his adult life in Michigan. He served in the United States Navy, active duty and Naval Reserves, from 1968 to 1993, having attained the rank of Commander, at the time of his retirement. Joseph also had many years of varied vocational and educational experiences. Joseph received his Midshipman’s training from the U.S. Naval Academy, BA—University of Cincinnati, MS– Central Michigan University, and pursed a Masters of Education at Xavier University. He was employed at General Motors in various supervisory positions from 1956 to 1993. He was an instructor at Baker Junior College and served as a substitute teacher for both the Beecher and Flint School Districts up until his health prevented him from working any longer. Joseph accepted Christ at an early age. He was a devoted member of First Trinity Missionary Baptist Church for more than 50 years – a member of the Senior Choir and Male Chorus, Silverliners and former bowler. In 1993, Joseph and Bertha Amerson were united in holy matrimony. Together they sustained twenty-two (22) years of marital bliss. He truly loved his wife, children and his church and did not hesitate telling everyone he met. Joseph was a very kind, devoted husband who enjoyed living. His humor remained until the last days of his life. Boy did he love to joke and laugh. Joseph was a proud member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, INC. Cherishing the memory of Joseph is his lovely wife; “My Bride”: Bertha Amerson Cotton; his children: Melissa A. Cotton, Donna (Alex) Rogers, and Joseph (Sarah) Cotton; grandchildren; Blake, Iris and Sawyer; 1 sister, Mary (Sonny-deceased) Suggs, Springfield, OH; 2 sisters-n-law, Fairy (Charles) Ross, Flint, MI and Lucy (Willie-deceased) Roberts, Dayton, OH, 3 nephews, LaMar (Dana) Boyd and Curtis Boyd, Flint, MI, Frederick Boyd, Charlotte, NC; 4 nieces, Dr. Maria (Ernest) Boyd-Springer, Flint, MI, Keishia (Edward) Barber, Cincinnati, OH, Willayna (Brandon) Banner, Charlotte, NC and D’Chandra Ross, Flint, MI; and a host of other relatives and friends Joseph was preceded in death by his parents.

Mr. Hershell Joseph Cotton

June 7, 1934 - April 25, 2015