Roy Frank Cotton, Jr.

Roy was born on July 22, 1934, in Louisville, Mississippi, to Roy and Lillie Prisock Cotton.

He was a graduate of Brookhaven High School, where he was voted most handsome in his class, and earned a BS degree from the University of Alabama, Master’s degree in psychology from Mississippi State University, and furthered his education toward a doctorate degree at the University of Mississippi. But Alabama’s Crimson Tide was his favorite football team, and he and a fellow church member, Jo Graham, would cheer their team along as they stayed in touch over the telephone during exciting games.

Roy began a long career in government service, first working for the state of Mississippi in the Employment Security Commission, then in the first Governor’s Office established by Gov. Bill Waller, and continuing in that capacity under seven more governors. After Roy retired from his jobs with the State, he worked for a number of years with the U.S. Department of Agriculture Farm Service Bureau.

Roy loved flowers and working in his yard, but one of his greatest loves was singing in his church choir. He accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior around age eight and sang in church choirs throughout his life as long as he could stand, starting in his teen-age years in First Baptist Church of Brookhaven, continuing in First Baptist Church of Natchez and Calvary Baptist Church of Jackson, of which he was a member from 1966 until the present time.

Roy loved to make people laugh, and his wife often commented to him that he thought he was a comedian.

Roy is survived by his wife Juanita Boyd Cotton, who grew up in Natchez, and his son Timothy. He often said of Tim, “God blessed us with only one son, and he is the best.” He and Tim enjoyed attending concerts during the early years and recently reminiscing about those times while Tim sat beside his dad’s bed and they watched musical programs on television together.

Other survivors are a number of nieces and nephews, all of whom were special to Roy, as well as cousins Billy and Janie Tew. Billy and Janie were so close that they included the Cotton’s in their family for a number of years and looked after them in their declining years.

Roy was preceded in death by his parents, his step-father J. E. Algood, and three sisters, Lois Lewis, Betty Hatcher, and Diane Barfield.

Roy expressed gratitude to his Visiting Angels caregivers for everything they did for him in his last days and often remarked to each of them, “You are the best.” His favorite Visiting Angels caregiver was Debra Fitzhugh, who cared for the Cotton’s for two years and became as family to them. He often told her that she was his daughter and sang a song to her,. “Debra, Debra, Doo, I love you a bushel and a peck and a hug around the neck.”

Memorial contributions may be made to Calvary Baptist Church, 1300 W. Capital St., Jackson, MS, or a charity of your choice.

A visitation for Roy will be held Saturday, February 1, 2025 from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM at Lakewood Funeral Home, 6011 Clinton Blvd, Jackson, Mississippi 39209, followed by a funeral service at 3:00 PM.

Roy will be laid to rest in Lakewood Memorial Park, 6000 Clinton Blvd., Jackson, Mississippi 39209.