Samuel Cotton

Samuel Ray Cotton was born May 13th, 1951 in Nashville, NC to Catherine and Coaston Cotton. He graduated from Nash Central High School in 1969 and moved to New Jersey where he met his wife Patricia and married in 1986. Sam graduated from Essex County College in 1992 with degrees in Computer Science and Information Technology.
Sam and Pat returned to NC in 1995 where he became a pillar of the community and a very active member of the Nash Central 1969 Class Reunion Committee. Sam was the patriarch of his family and very loyal to his friends, many of them referred to him as “THE” Sam. He always made everyone feel special and his advice was treasured. No major decisions were made without consulting Sam. He loved to entertain his family and friends and was known for playing good music and singing along to the songs. We quickly learned not to criticize his selection or you would find yourself with the remote and him telling you to do it yourself. Sam was a man of integrity, his word was his bond and he never broke a promise. He was a powerful presence and was respectful to all. Sam was a loving husband, a dedicated and dependable father, a caring and supportive brother and a faithful friend.
He leaves to cherish his memory: His loving wife of 37 years, Patricia Stephens Cotton; one son, Michael Henderson Cotton (Pamela)Rincon, Ga; one daughter, Cloteal Cotton Lee (Adarryl) Apopka, Fl; six sisters, Shirley Cotton, Geraldine Lewis, Rocky Mount NC; Hargie Cotton, Newark, NJ; Theola Anthony, Swedesboro, NJ; Elaine Manning (William) and Karen Williams (Michael) Rocky Mount, NC. One brother, Leon Bazemore (Paula) Hampton, Va. Three Grandchildren: Diante Henderson,San Antonio, Tx; Kyle Bush, Tallahassee, Fla, and Donovin Henderson, Rincon Ga; one Great Grandson, Tru Bush,Tallahassee, Fla. Step sister Berniece King,Rocky Mount, NC; step brothers Leo Silver (Rita),Hampton Va; Ben Silver (Gloria) Nashville, NC and Vernon Silver (Velvet), Hampton, Va. Sam also leaves a host of nieces, nephews, in-laws and friends.
He will be terribly missed by all, but if you listen closely, you can still hear him say …”For the Good Times”.