Dr. Bobbie J. Primus-Cotton

Dr. Bobbie J. Primus Cotton was born on July 20, 1929 in Daytona Beach. Florida. She passed peacefully on Monday, September 25, 2017. She was the second daughter and fifth child of the late William Primus, ll and Lillie Rose Primus, both deceased. A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Saturday, October 7, 2017 at 2:00 p.m. at Allen Chapel African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church, located at 580 Engram Blvd., Daytona Beach, FL. The family will receive friends this evening, Friday October 6, 2017 from 5:30 – 7:30 P.M. at the church. There will be a viewing at the church on Saturday from 12:00 p.m. until service time at 2:00 p.m.

Bobbie grew up in Daytona Beach. Her parents instilled in their children at a young age the importance of a good Christian base. Dr. Cotton was a lifelong member of the AME Church.

The Early years – She attended Cypress Street Elementary (later renamed Bonner Elementary) and Campbell Street High School, graduating with the class of 1947

The Later years: She received a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing from Florida A & M University; M.P.H., Public Health Nursing Supervision, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill and Doctorate in Educational Administration, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

CAREER OVERVIEW: Dr. Cotton had a long, distinguished career in nursing, nursing education and training. Highlights include:

• Head Nurse, Bethune-Cookman College (B-CC) (now university)

• Directed the first self-study and obtained initial accreditation for the B-CC nursing program

• One of the first African American Public Health Nurses in Volusia County

• Area Coordinator, Applied Health Curriculum Development in Historically Black Colleges and Universities, American Association of State Colleges and Universities

• Developed and directed comprehensive workshops on diseases that kill African Americans throughout the United States and Botswana,

Southern Africa. Under the auspices of the AME Church, Dr. Cotton, along with her Brother,

Dr. William Primus, III conducted health prevention training in the Dominican Republic dealing with diabetes, HlV/AIDS, high blood pressure and other diseases.

• Was an accomplished grants writer and public speaker

HONORS, COMMUNITY SERVICE AND ORGANIZATIONS:

Designated an “African Mother” for Voluntary Health Training in South Africa;

Florida A & M University School of Nursing Wall of Distinction; Outstanding Graduate; Halifax Civic Award, Daytona Beach,

Florida (DAB) for outstanding community service; Service Award, National Tuberculosis Association, (DAB); Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Outstanding Women in Health Care Delivery Services, (DAB); held memberships in many organizations, including, Life member of National Alumni Association of Florida A& M University, Trustee of Daytona Beach Community College (now Daytona State College), Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Local and National Black Nurses Association.

AS A CHRISTIAN: Bobbie was a faithful servant and active AME her entire life, beginning with her early years as a member of Allen Chapel AME Church. Throughout her life, she affiliated with AME churches wherever she lived. Later in life she became a member of AME churches where her husband pastored and throughout those years became a dedicated first lady and member of the missionary society. After her husband’s death, she returned to her first church,

Allen Chapel.

THE FAMILY - LEFT TO CHERISH HER MEMORY

Daughter, Robyn Heath Walker; son, Jonathan Heath, sister, Flossie Jennings; brothers, Clifford Primus and Dr. William Primus, lll (Emira); grandchildren, Blake, Ariel, and Jasmine Heath and Cydney Walker; nieces, Renee Harris. Jeanne Johnson, Juliette Wise, Desiree Primus; Allison Posey and Erica Terry; nephews, Obia J. L. Jennings, ll, William Primus, IV, Desmond Primus, Theodore R. Primus, ll and a host of cousins and dear friends

In addition to her father and mother, Bobbie was preceded in death by her beloved husband, The Reverend Dr. Jesse Walden Cotton; brothers, Dr. Jay Primus, Sr. and Theodore R. Primus, Sr. ; nephews, Brandon Primus, Jay Primus, Jr. and nieces, Dr. Jann Primus and Lillian (Dee Dee) Sampson. Professional Services Entrusted to Volusia Memorial Funeral Home, 548 Nova Road, Ormond Beach, Florida.Condolences may be shared with the family by visiting www.volusiamemorialfunerals.com