Betty B. Cotton

BETTY BETHUNE COTTON, daughter of the late Frank and Eglantine Cotton, was born on December 2, 1945 in Baltimore, Maryland. She departed this life peacefully on July 5, 2007. She was the older of two children and was preceded in death by her sister Pamela Cotton Smith Booze.Betty completed her early education in Baltimore, Maryland, graduating from Eastern High School. She was a graduate of the University of Maryland at College Park. Betty began her career with the Social Security Administration, and retired from the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development. During her post retirement years, Betty worked as a counselor for the Baltimore City Community College Welfare-to-Work Training Program where she mentored young women in transition to independence well beyond their formal participation in the program.Betty was baptized at Providence Baptist Church on April 5, 1954 and was a faithful and devoted servant throughout some of her darkest hours. She was a living example of her commitment to God and her church. Her service to the church included serving as a member of the In-betweens Sunday School Class, Hospitality Committee, Mistress of Ceremony for the Church Fashion Shows, Costume and Set Designer for the Christmas and Easter Cantatas for the Combined Choir, Mortgage Finance Committee, V.A.R. Club and the Young Adult Choir.Betty was as avid collector of fine jewelry. She attended jewelry trade shows in Maryland, Virginia and New York often taking groups of church women along. Her generosity was frequently demonstrated with the sharing of some of her favorite jewelry pieces with her friends and loved ones.Betty was well-known for her passion for interior decorating and design. She shared these talents with the church community, friends, family members and others who admired her work. Betty was often involved in local politics. She was an energetic member of the Ladies of Distinction Organization.She leaves to cherish her memory: stepmother, Ruth Smith Cotton of Roxoboro, North Carolina; three aunts and an uncle, Cora Cameron Bigger, the Reverend Velma Jones and Vivian Ware of Buffalo, New York, and Sterling Cameron; one nephew, Courtney Smith; a devoted cousin, Famane C. Brown; her godmother, Mary Flack; many other special cousins, other family members and friends.

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Betty B. Cotton

December 2, 1945 - July 5, 2007