Henry Cotton
1946-2025
1946-2025
Henry Cotton
Henry Cotton, beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend, passed away peacefully and surrounded by loved ones at his home on March 16, 2025, in Bastrop, Louisiana. He was born on December 9, 1946, to Walter and Farise (Finley) Cotton.
Henry met his “Honey” Willie Inez Page Cotton at Bay Ridge Christian College, and they married in 1968. They are proud parents of nine girls: Charlotte Moses (Kenneth Smith), Michelle, Marjorie, Muriel (Aaron Edmonds), Marcia, Materra, Martina, Maria, and Maresa. In addition to his girls, he was loved by, his godson, Lyndon Posey, goddaughters, Mildred “Niecy” Clark and LaShun Norwood and his great-niece turned daughter Alexis “Meagan” Thomas. He was also godfather to Cephus Riggins. He was affectionately known as "Papa" by his sixteen grandchildren and two great-grandchildren, and “Uncle Fat” to his close nieces and nephews.
He attended Morehouse High School and graduated in 1963. He continued his education at Grambling State University, Southern University, University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, and Bay Ridge Christian College. He later earned a master’s degree in divinity from Shaw University Seminary Without Walls. His life was a testament to dedicated service and diverse accomplishments. He served his country honorably in the United States Army, where he specialized as an air defense radar repairman, showcasing his technical skills and commitment. He was awarded the National Defense Service Medal. He worked for IBM, as a field and systems engineer. During this time, he answered the call to ministry and served as pastor of Church Street Church of God in Oak Grove, LA before becoming pastor of Zion Church of God in Oakdale, MS from 1970 to 1985, and later serving as Associate Pastor at Pearl Street Church of God in Bastrop, LA. In 1977 he served as District Representative of the Greater Monroe area to U.S. Representative Jerry Huckaby.
He was a dedicated educator, sharing his passion for mathematics as a teacher, tutor, and mentor, believing strongly in the power of education to transform lives. Furthering his commitment to education, he was the founder and president of Sage Group America, Inc., providing free tutoring and ACT workshops to countless students. He took immense pr ide in the success of every student he helped, celebrating their achievements as if they were his own. He also served his community as the Mayor of Bastrop, LA, demonstrating his unwavering dedication to public service and the city he loved. He was immensely proud of each of his daughters, celebrating their accomplishments and strengths. Beyond his immediate family, he served as a father figure to many, offering guidance and support to those who needed it.
Always one with an entrepreneurial spirit, he founded KDKS radio station in Shreveport, LA, and KTRY radio station in Bastrop, LA, providing valuable local media. He also served on the board of directors for T-Lab Global of Detroit, MI. Henry previously worked with his long-time friend Dr. C.T. Vivian as Senior Vice President for College and Career Readiness at the C.T. Vivian Leadership Institute in Atlanta, GA.
Henry's dedication to service and community was further recognized by numerous awards, including:
○ 1990 Annual Bootstrap Award by the GSU Freshman Class of 1990
○ 2019 Humanitarian Award by Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. Monroe Metropolitan Alumnae Chapter
○ 2022 Trailblazer Award by T-LAB Accelerated Learning Center
○ 2024 MRC Trailblazer Award
He survives by his loving wife, children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, his siblings Oretha (John Thomas) and Elaine (Lester Williams), his sister-in-law Wilma (Walter Dean Cotton), and a host of nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his father and mother, Walter and Farise Cotton, his brother Walter Dean Cotton, and his nephew D’Juan Thomas.
Above all, he was a devoted husband and father, always "on call" for his family and constituents, a testament to his selfless nature. In his leisure time, he found joy and relaxation in golfing and flying his beloved Beechcraft Bonanza.
Henry will be remembered for his warmth, humor, and dedication to his family and community. He will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.
Henry met his “Honey” Willie Inez Page Cotton at Bay Ridge Christian College, and they married in 1968. They are proud parents of nine girls: Charlotte Moses (Kenneth Smith), Michelle, Marjorie, Muriel (Aaron Edmonds), Marcia, Materra, Martina, Maria, and Maresa. In addition to his girls, he was loved by, his godson, Lyndon Posey, goddaughters, Mildred “Niecy” Clark and LaShun Norwood and his great-niece turned daughter Alexis “Meagan” Thomas. He was also godfather to Cephus Riggins. He was affectionately known as "Papa" by his sixteen grandchildren and two great-grandchildren, and “Uncle Fat” to his close nieces and nephews.
He attended Morehouse High School and graduated in 1963. He continued his education at Grambling State University, Southern University, University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, and Bay Ridge Christian College. He later earned a master’s degree in divinity from Shaw University Seminary Without Walls. His life was a testament to dedicated service and diverse accomplishments. He served his country honorably in the United States Army, where he specialized as an air defense radar repairman, showcasing his technical skills and commitment. He was awarded the National Defense Service Medal. He worked for IBM, as a field and systems engineer. During this time, he answered the call to ministry and served as pastor of Church Street Church of God in Oak Grove, LA before becoming pastor of Zion Church of God in Oakdale, MS from 1970 to 1985, and later serving as Associate Pastor at Pearl Street Church of God in Bastrop, LA. In 1977 he served as District Representative of the Greater Monroe area to U.S. Representative Jerry Huckaby.
He was a dedicated educator, sharing his passion for mathematics as a teacher, tutor, and mentor, believing strongly in the power of education to transform lives. Furthering his commitment to education, he was the founder and president of Sage Group America, Inc., providing free tutoring and ACT workshops to countless students. He took immense pr ide in the success of every student he helped, celebrating their achievements as if they were his own. He also served his community as the Mayor of Bastrop, LA, demonstrating his unwavering dedication to public service and the city he loved. He was immensely proud of each of his daughters, celebrating their accomplishments and strengths. Beyond his immediate family, he served as a father figure to many, offering guidance and support to those who needed it.
Always one with an entrepreneurial spirit, he founded KDKS radio station in Shreveport, LA, and KTRY radio station in Bastrop, LA, providing valuable local media. He also served on the board of directors for T-Lab Global of Detroit, MI. Henry previously worked with his long-time friend Dr. C.T. Vivian as Senior Vice President for College and Career Readiness at the C.T. Vivian Leadership Institute in Atlanta, GA.
Henry's dedication to service and community was further recognized by numerous awards, including:
○ 1990 Annual Bootstrap Award by the GSU Freshman Class of 1990
○ 2019 Humanitarian Award by Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. Monroe Metropolitan Alumnae Chapter
○ 2022 Trailblazer Award by T-LAB Accelerated Learning Center
○ 2024 MRC Trailblazer Award
He survives by his loving wife, children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, his siblings Oretha (John Thomas) and Elaine (Lester Williams), his sister-in-law Wilma (Walter Dean Cotton), and a host of nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his father and mother, Walter and Farise Cotton, his brother Walter Dean Cotton, and his nephew D’Juan Thomas.
Above all, he was a devoted husband and father, always "on call" for his family and constituents, a testament to his selfless nature. In his leisure time, he found joy and relaxation in golfing and flying his beloved Beechcraft Bonanza.
Henry will be remembered for his warmth, humor, and dedication to his family and community. He will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.