Thomasine Cottrell was born on March 8, 1950 in Okmulgee, Oklahoma. She was the youngest daughter of William Cottrell and Katherine Cooks. She dedicated her life to Christ at an early age and was baptized at New Salem Baptist Church in Okmulgee, Oklahoma. She loved music and starting playing the piano for her church choir at age 10. When her job relocated her to Dallas, she continued to express her love for the Lord and the talent He had given her by playing for several church choirs in the city. In 2000 she retired from AT&T as a Customer Service Manager after 30 years of faithful service. She leaves to cherish her memory her only child, Portia Middleton; two grandsons, Terrence and Jonathan Minter; three grandchildren, La Mya, Kayden, and Jaron Minter; five sisters Edna Cannon, Elizabeth McHenry, Loretta Ellis, Janice Travis and Ruthie Price; two brothers, William Cottrell and Stanley Stokes; she was also blessed to have a second Father, James Neal and a host of nieces and nephews.
