Life, The Love And The Legacy Of Missionary
Bernice Cotton (Queen Bee)
March 2 1944 – February 17, 2025
Bernice Cotton was born in Washington County, Georgia to the parentage of the late Thomas Jones and Imogene Jones. She attended D.D. Crawford Elementary School; graduated from T.J. Elder High School and furthered her education at Broward County School of Business & Cosmetology in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. She served many capacities in the city of Macon, which included The Tax Equalization Board, Volunteer Macon, The American Cancer Society and Teen Pregnancy Group. Bernice received Proclamations from former Governor Joe Frank Harris and former Mayor, George Israel for Ambassador of Gospel Music. She was a member of the Gospel Announcers Guild and received The Announcer Pioneer Award, which was presented to her by the late James Cleveland. Bernice received The Kwanza Award of Atlanta and the Community Service Award. Her accomplishments include 13 years as a Gospel Radio Announcer and Sales Consultant for radio stations WBML, WIBB and WDDO.
The Macon Branch of the NAACP named her among the Fifty Influential Women in Macon. She was also chosen as one of the 35 Black Women in Middle Georgia, “Standing on Your Shoulders”. Bernice was honored with a Proclamation from Mayor C. Jack Ellis, Proclaiming April 1, 2000 as being “Bernice Cotton Day”; She was also honored with a Proclamation from former Mayor Jim Marshall where she received a Pioneer Award as WIBB celebrated their 50th Anniversary; She was inducted into the Georgia Music Hall of Fame. As a member of Greater Overcoming Church of God, she served on the Usher Board for many years; she worked the Prayer Line and was President of The Missionary Board. Bernice worked in any capacity she was asked. She believed in doing the works of the one who sent her, “God”!
She loved flowers. She created some of the most floral beautiful arrangements for Bentley; She was the owner and operator of Bernice’s Florist & Catering Services. Her favorite scripture, “I look to the hills from whence cometh my help, all my help cometh from God who made heaven and earth.,.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Floyd T. Cotton, Jr. in which they were married for fifty-one years. They were the proud parents of four children; Sharon Rogers, Cynthia Cotton, and Keith Cotton, all of Macon, Georgia. Tronmie (Shericka) Cotton of Warner Robins, Georgia; nine grandchildren, Britney Cotton, Gratin L. McMillan, II, Chrisropher L. Billue, II, Jada Cotton, Amia Coton, Chandler Cotton, Tristen and Trace Cotton; two great-grand-children, Tru Habersham and Nova Ayres. She is survived by four sisters; Dorothy Gilmore, Bobbie Jones, Teresa Turner of Sandersville, Georgia and Brenda Jones of Atlanta, Georgia; One brother, Earnest Jones of Sandersville, Georgia. She was preceded in death by three brothers, Moses Jones, Robert Jones, Sr. and Willie Jones, Sr.; one sister Willene Jordan; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
