Winans Dearing “Cotton” Lloyd Jr. was born on August 21st, 1925, as the second child and oldest son of nine to Winans Dearing Lloyd Sr. and Alta Richard Lloyd. Growing up, his siblings couldn’t pronounce “W.D.” so they called him “Dub” instead. He gained the nickname “Cotton” from his childhood friends for his blonde, curly hair. Cotton lived a headstrong but unpretentious and determined but humble life until his death on December 19, 2022, after 97 prolific years. Cotton grew up near downtown Baton Rouge and began working odd jobs at only seven years old, including selling hot tamales from a cart on the corner of Park Blvd and Government Street, delivering Western Union Telegrams on his bike, and selling Ladies Home Journal magazines. He quickly developed impeccable work ethic, and some would even call him a workaholic.
After graduating from Baton Rouge High School, he joined the Navy and served aboard the USS Bunker Hill aircraft carrier in the Pacific during WWII. Honorably discharged from the war, Cotton returned to Baton Rouge and attended LSU on the GI Bill, graduating with a civil engineer degree. He began his career with Ethyl Corp, where he climbed the ladder to a position in management and served as president of the Ethyl Management Club and the Ethyl Recreation Association (ERA) for many years. He was instrumental in the transition of the ERA into the Fairwood Country Club off Old Hammond Hwy, in which he served as a founding president.
During his years at LSU, Cotton met and married Lorraine, who he shared his life and two children and six grandchildren with for over fifty years. They enjoyed nights out dancing, trips to Las Vegas to see the shows, and spending time at their condo at Sandpiper Cove in Destin. Lorraine passed away in 2000, and Cotton eventually reconnected with an old flame from his younger years, Doris. She became his best friend and travel partner for thirteen years until she passed in 2013. Together they enjoyed many bus tour trips around the country and cruises around the globe, and Cotton’s love for dancing carried on with Doris as they hosted many dance events.
In the early 60s, he and his brother-in-law, Bobby Wolf, invested and started the ICEE Corp Southeast Greater Texas Franchise. They sold the company in the late 60s, and Cotton went on to become a residential developer, builder and investor. He, alongside partners Don Biggs, Jim Clark, and Fritz McNemar, developed neighborhoods, built hundreds of homes, apartments, and many other ventures. Among those, he was one of the founding partners of Shaw Industries, and, later, brought Twin Peaks to Baton Rouge.
Cotton wasn’t just a businessman, however. Outside of work, he volunteered at the Baton Rouge Kids’ Baseball Clinic, Boy Scouts, and many other clubs. Later in life, he became involved with the Navy Club and the American Legion. He served as vice commander at the AL post 38, was commander of the Baton Rouge US Navy Club for five years with the USS Kidd battleship 661, and was instrumental in bringing the Lone Sailor memorial statue to downtown Baton rouge along with Gordon Morris and Gerard Ruth. He also held a love for gardening and cared for an impressive fig tree grove.
Cotton was a sharp dresser, was a meticulous record keeper, and had impeccable handwriting. He was always the one behind the camera taking pictures at every event. Though frugal by nature, he was exceptionally generous when someone needed help. Cotton demonstrated a humbleness for the ages and never took himself too seriously. His exuberant and positive personality was infectious and always came with a smile on his face that would spread and light up any situation.
The year 2016 brought tragedy into his life beginning in January with the loss of his beloved grandson, Travis. A few months later, in August, he lost his home in the flood, sending him to live with his daughter until his last few months at the Southeast War Veterans Home in Reserve, LA.
He is survived by his daughter, Shellie Lloyd Mancuso (Randy Moreau); son, Kerry Lloyd (Marie Scallon); grandsons, Tristan Lloyd Mancuso and Brance Dearing Lloyd (Amy); granddaughters, Kellsy Lloyd, Lacey Lloyd, and Trenee Calamia Yarborough (Matt); great grandchildren, Draigon, Alyecia, Khilon, Onni, Evie, Leighton, Callie, Kennedy, Kyler, Gauge, Bryson, and Braelen; sisters, Sing VanCleve, Carole Tucker (Dodee), and Glenda “Ginnie” Reed; brother, Harold “Hag” Lloyd; many nieces and nephews from the Lloyd and Walker families; and lifelong best friend, Hewitt Gomez and his family. Cotton was preceded in death by his parents; grandson, Travis Mancuso; wife, Lorraine Walker Lloyd; sisters, Beverly Wolf and Margie Rushing; brothers, Gordon Richard “Moe” Lloyd; and sweetheart, Doris A. Fox.
Cotton’s life and memory will be celebrated at a visitation on Wednesday, December 28, from 5 to 9 pm at Rabenhorst Funeral Home East (11000 Florida Blvd) and again on Thursday, December 29 at 10 am until service at noon. A burial with military honors will follow at Resthaven Gardens of Memory. A celebration of life will take place after the burial at the American Legion Hall post 38 (151 S. Wooddale Blvd). All are welcome.
