Charlene Cotton

Charlene Lonetta Cotton, a lifelong resident of Houston, Texas went to be with the Lord on May 8, 2011. She was born on November 27, 1936, to the late James Joseph Cotton, Sr. and late Beulah Rustin Cotton. She is preceded in death by her sister Nannie Mae Arnold and husband Charles of Houston, brother James Joseph Cotton, Jr. of New Waverly. She is survived by her two daughters, Alison Robinson Blythe of Dallas and Ashley Blythe Zachry and husband Josh of San Antonio, grandson Davis Blythe Zachry, and a host of family and friends.

Charlene's professional career in public relations, real estate, political campaigning, modeling, and volunteer work spanned over 45 years. She spent 20 years in employee and public relations for Shell Oil Company. Following her career at Shell, she spent the remainder of her professional career managing political campaigns and events, real estate properties, directing the Texas Association of Public Employees Retirement Systems (TEXPERS) communications and event management, and dedicating time as a volunteer to numerous organizations throughout the greater Houston community.

She served as the first Harris County Heritage Society's Fourth of July Chairman to coordinate the first unpaid fireworks show, which turned out over 30,000 Houstonians in Heritage Park. She also was a founding member and historian of the Space City Ski Club, editor of the Harris County Young Republicans' newsletter, helped to fundraise for the Houston Junior Chamber of Commerce (Jaycees), served on various Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo committees, and an active patron of the Sons of the Confederate Veterans and the Museum of Southern History.

She enjoyed a full and productive life and was able to spend the last couple of years with her family in San Antonio. She was an avid fisherman and a tennis, basketball, and baseball enthusiast. She also had a passion for traveling, sewing, cooking, and reading. She was a lifelong Christian and active member of the church, which included singing in the choir.

Funeral services will be held at the Chapel of Angels of Forest Park Lawndale in Houston at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, May 14, 2011. Interment will follow the service at the Forest Park Lawndale Cemetery followed by a reception in the Funeral Home. Officiating will be Reverend Deborah Cooper.

The family will receive friends and loved ones at the Forest Park Lawndale Funeral Home from 5 to 7 p.m. on Friday, May 13, 2011.