Alaye Cotterell

Alaye Augustus Omoni Cotterell was born on Tuesday, 15th June, 1948, at 8:20am, at African Hospital,

Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria, into the family of Late ELDER AUGUSTUS OMONI COTTERELL.

His Father, and Late MRS. MERRY AUGUSTUS OMONI COTTERELL, his Mother, of the Late MADAM NWACHUKWU-ADA COTTERELL larger family in the CHIEF COTTERELL Group of Houses and Communities, in Asari-Toru Local Government Council Area of Rivers State, South-South of Nigeria.

Alaye Augustus Omoni Cotterell was the first male child among the other children of his parents.

He started his primary education when he was six (6) years old at St. Peter’s Anglican Primary School, in Bukuru, Plateau in the year 1955 from where he finished in the year 1962 with distinction. He then proceeded to Gindiri Secondary School Barakin Ladi Local Government Area in Plateau where he continued with his quest for further education at the later end of 1962. He later moved his secondary school education to Kalabari National College, Buguma, his parents birth home, from 1965, where he completed his secondary school education in 1966 with another distinction (Grade 1), and collected his West African Senior Secondary School Certificate.

Alaye went ahead with his quest for university education from: The University of Lagos School of Biological Sciences, Yaba, Lagos, Nigeria, in 1971. In the same year he left for University of New-Brunswick, Fredericton, Canada and then moved to the United States of America, attending Columbia University (New York), Texas Southern University ( Houston) where he obtained his Master Degree, and University of Elpaso where he studied for his PhD.

As a lover of Education, he taught as a Professor at Texas Southern University and Houston Community College. Alaye also taught as a high school teacher in multiple schools : DeBakey High School for Health Professions-HISD ( 4 Years) Smiley High School - North Forest ISD ( 14 Years) ; Chester W Nimitz High school - Aldine (9 Years).

While attending Texas Southern University, He met and married Helen Gaynor (deceased 2010) that blessed him with 2 bonus Children ( Dawna and Rodney).

Alaye later met Lisa Williams who he referred to as his “Soulmate” who was at his side until he departed.

Alaye had so many friends that were like family as he had a generous heart and would pour his love, his wisdom, his guidance into those he came in contact with. He was a father to all his relations and friends at home (Nigeria) and abroad. He promoted his relatives and friends education, for he had always said that ‘’Education is the bed-rock of all kinds of development’’. He has left behind so many graduates he assisted to get to their levels ‘’To God Be the Glory, Great Things He Has Done’’.

Alaye was survived by (In no particular order): Okorite Cotterell, Dawna Gaynor, Rodney Gaynor, Jarvis Williams, Tarvis Williams, Brittney Williams, 15 grand Children and 2 great Grandchildren. Ebiabo Cotterell (Brother), Diedinbo Amachree (Brother), Ngoba Tariah (Sister), Yerijumoa West (Sister) , Pokiba Horsfall (Sister) Adaba Cotterell (Sister), Alaba Obanga (Sister), Ibiye Harry, Elder Robert Amah-Tariah, Pastor Dawari West, Diepriye Cotterell, Onengiye Robert Tariah, Ibinabo Coterell, Tamunoteim Cotterell, Ibuemi Obang, Franklin Barango, Diepriye Barango, Fabiya Aminu, Awoere Toba, Ibiso Kejeh, Oselewaprim Eronmosele, Tamuno Belema Koloh, Sobraboye Okunuga, Biobele D. West, Emi & Ibiso

Cotterell, Mpaka Soberekon (Special Nephew) Fortune Cotterell, Tonye Obene, Engr Nimi Obene, Obubeleye Obene, Opubo Horsfall, Tiyeinabesoari Horsfall, Lolo Cotterell, CHIEF OPUBO W. COTTERELL and a host of other friends and relatives.

A visitation for Alaye will be held Saturday, June 7, 2025 from 1:30 PM to 2:30 PM at Paradise Funeral Home, Inc, 10401 West Montgomery, Houston, TX 77088. The funeral service will immediately follow from 2:30 PM to 3:30 PM, 10401 West Montgomery, Houston, TX 77088. The committal will be held Saturday, June 7, 2025 from 3:45 PM to 4:00 PM at Paradise Funeral Home & Cemetery North, 10401 W Montgomery Rd, Houston, TX 77088.

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