Iletha Cotton

COTTON, Mrs. Iletha - Age 85, Promoted to Glory on Wednesday, September 10, 2008 at McLaren Regional Medical Center. Family hour 11AM Monday, September 15, 2008 at Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church, 2120 N. Saginaw St., with funeral service commencing at 12noon, Pastor E.L. Girley officiating. Interment Flint Memorial Park Cemetery, G-9506 N. Dort Hwy. Friends and pallbearers will assemble at the church 11AM Monday. Mrs. Cotton will lie in state in the Chapel of Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home, 906 W. Flint Park Blvd., and may be viewed from 10AM-8PM Sunday. Iletha Cotton was born on May 6, 1923 in Quitman, Mississippi to the late Charlie and Earlene Hayes. She was the fourth child of eleven siblings. In 1939 Iletha married Kenard Jones and to that union nine children were born. She later married the late Ike Cotton. Iletha gave her life to Christ at an early age. She was a member of Canaan Baptist Church for twenty years under the leadership of the late Rev. Newman and the late Rev. Alford Robbs. She later moved her membership to Family Missionary Baptist Church under Rev. Tellis Simon. In 1983, Ms. Cotton moved her membership to Morning Star Baptist Church under the leadership of the late Henry Robinson and now senior leadership of Rev. Ernest L. Girley. She was a faithful servant at Morning Star until her promotion to be with the Lord serving on numerous committees and boards such as the Kitchen Committee, Mothers Board, Pastor’s Aide and Willing Hands. Her faith was strong in the Lord which helped her to raise her children, grandchildren, greats and great-great grandchildren along with numerous extended children. She leaves to cherish her memory: Her sons, Bennie (Patricia) Jones of Atlanta, GA, Curtis (Patsy) Jones, Lindsey (Pauline) Jones and one daughter Iletha Bailey all of Flint; Step children: Lorraine Jones-Smith, Juanita Kelly, Larry Jones, Samalia Pittman and Rose Cleveland all of Cleveland, Ohio and Kenard Jones of Tennessee; Jimmie Lee Richards of Flint; God Children: Gloria Risen, Ruth Ann Henry and Jackie Blair; Extended Children: Bennett (Sylvia) and Dr. Mark (Cheryl) Engleman all of Grand Blanc; Eve and Ralph Mills of Los Vegas Nevada; Dr. Max and wife Carol Engleman of Petoskey, Michigan; Jason Engleman of Golden Valley, Minnesota. Daughter-in-Laws: Ilene Jones, Judge Ramona Roberts and Joyce Jones. Son-in-Law: Le V. Bailey, Sr. Grandsons: Charles, Carl, Raymond, Kenyana, DeMarko, Derek Jones all of Flint, Michigan; Omar (Tonya) Hull of Atlanta, GA; Pastor Le V. (Tonya) Bailey II of Flint, Lacey (Nicole) Jones of Pensacola, FL; Granddaughters: Cynthia, DaShonda, DaMeka, Dea Jones all of Flint; Crystal Robinson, Colleen (Ron) Fails both of Flint; LaVeda (Dean) Moore of California and Debony (Arlo) Washington of Little Rock, Arkansas; twenty-four great grandchildren and eight great-great grandchildren. Sisters: Earlene Clayton, Barbara Puritt both of Median, Mississippi and Florene Bell of Cincinnati, Ohio; A host of nieces, nephews and cousins; Close Friends: Savannah, Mary, Ruth and Blanch Engleman. Iletha Cotton was preceded in death by her children Lucille, Richard, Kenard, Ilean and Vernell; parents, brothers Charlie Jr. and James (JW) Hayes; sisters Agnes Smith, Annie Gartheright, Mattie Bell, Creola Henderson and Jurette Jones. The family would like to express sincere appreciation and thanks to Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church, Five Fold Ministry Christian Center, the staff of Kith Haven Nursing Home, Dr. Shau, Barbara Kirkland and Mr. & Mrs. (Francis) Duncan; Special thanks to Dea and Pauline Jones and all others who helped with her care.

Iletha Cotton

May 6, 1923 - September 10, 2008