Jtflofncr lJ!lcarcrs Tracey Cotton Harris Vendra Johnson Jenifer Lawson Vanessa Cotton Lesia Johnson Anita Smith ~onorar~ Jtflofncr ]liabics Juanita Smith Jacquelyn Smith Evelyn Garner Helen Davis Laura Jordan Gladys Sheppard Juanita Glenn Lois Garner Phoncee Fitzpatrick Irene Adams June Bennett Jallhcarcrs Curtis Marshall Willie Domineck Larry Woodall William Rogers William Mayes Griffin Law ~onorar~ Jallhcarcrs Harold Smith Harold Moreland Noble Walker Roy Hutchinson Fred Sheppard John Moreland, Jr. l\rhnofnlcbBcmcnt The family extends sincere gratitude for the prayers and words of encouragement during Billy's illness and homegoing. ~t~ ~eUers lfllrot~ers, ~ttc. FUNERAL DIRECTORS & MORTICIANS 889 M L. King, Jr. Dnve, N.W . Atlanta, Georgia 30314 404-522 -6924 923 McD aniel Street. S.W . Atlanta , Georg ia 30310 404-522 -2591 MKO Graphics & Printers (404) 523-1560 ~omcBoinB Qlcrcmon~ for lJ!lill~ ~ ~lJ!lo" Qlotton July 14, 1931 -October 17, 1996 Tuesday, October 22, 1996 - 12:00 Noon - ~L ~orin~ ~aptist QI~urc~ 200 Ashby Street, Southwest Atlanta, Georgia The Reverend Orlando K. Winters, Pastor The Reverend Preston W. Williams, Eulogist hituart! After 65 years, the life of Billy Cotton came to a serene end on Thursday, October 17, 1996. Billy was affectionately known to family members as "Bo" and to co-workers that loved and admired him as Billy "Jo" . Billy was born and reared in Atlanta, Georgia. His elementary school education was achieved at E.R. Carter often referred to as Ashby Street School. In 1950, he graduated from Booker T. Washington High School. Upon graduation, he worked various jobs before dedicating the next 32 years of his life to the U.S. Postal Service. In 1990, Billy retired from the U.S. Postal Service. This allowed him more t ime to do the things he most enjoyed. This included fervently spending time with his wife, mother, brothers, and sisters. Socially, he delighted himself in the 46 Club. In his leisure, he could be found gardening or preparing his favorite soul food dish and watching the Atlanta Braves. Billy's Christian education began as a young child at Antioch Baptist Church in Atlanta. As a young adult, he joined Mt. Moriah Baptist Church where he participated in the choir. Before his heavenly homegoing, Billy displayed a hunger to master the word of God. Billy joins his brother Bernard who preceded him in death. Left to carry on his legacy of unconditional and unselfish love are his wife, Barbara of 25 years; mother, Amanda Cotton; father, Willie Cotton; three sisters, Norman Jean Johnson and her husband, Mordecai Johnson, Christine Johnson, and Annette Cotton; two brothers, Johnny Charles and his wife, Paula Cotton, and Robert James, Sr. and his wife, Ola Cotton; mother-in-law; Lettie Everette; two sisters and three brothers-in-law, Clarence and his wife, Magdeline Everette, Ahmad and his wife, Jayne Mahboubi, and Emory Everette; a host of aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews. Being an Angel To become an angel is one of God's greatest blessings. It allows you to become God's instrument ofpeace and to leave a miracle everywhere you go. Most importantly angels serve as messengers of God. Billy often shared this message with his wife and others ... ..People ought to find a way to get along. " rbr of ~rili.c PROCESSIONAL HYMN ......................................... The Choir "Just a Closer Walk with Thee" SCRIPTURE READING Pastor Orlando K. Winters The Old Testament, Psalm 71 The New Testament, I Corinthians 15:51-68 PRAYER OF COMFORT ................. Pastor Winters SOLO ........................ . ........ Oneavious Lester Clarence Robinson, Accompanist TRIBUTES: (Two minutes) Neighbor . . ........................ . .. Frank Jackson Co-worker ..... . .................... Evelyn Jackson Nieces ............. . ........... Tracey Cotton Harris Vanessa Cotton Church Member ............. Deacon M. L. Johnson SOLO ............................ Margaret Guest Poole "I Won't Complain" OBITUARY (Read Silently) EULOGY . . . . ... . .. . The Reverend Preston W . Williams HYMN . .. . .... .. . .. .. . .... .... . ... . . .. . .. .. .... The Choir ACKNOWLEDGEMENT RECESSIONAL ~ntrmnt Lincoln Memorial Cemetery 2275 Simpson Road, Northwest Atlanta, Georgia You are invited to fellowship with the family during this time in Coleman Fellowship Hall within Mt. Moriah Baptist Church immediately following interment.