Mrs. Sonja Denise Shelton Cotton was born on January 26, 1964, in Columbus, Mississippi to Mother Lillie Shelton Scott and the late Mr. Odell Shelton. She transitioned from this life to eternal life on Thursday, October 3, 2024.

Sister Cotton dedicated her life to the Lord at an early age and attended the Fifteenth Street Church of God in Christ in Columbus, Mississippi, for over 25 years under the leadership of the late Superintendent G. L. Copprue and later, Pastor Marion Bonner. She graduated from S. D. Lee High School in 1982 and went on to a successful vocation for many years with manufacturing companies.

During her time of employment with Toyota Motor Manufacturing, the former Ms. Shelton met and later married Minister David Cotton; they enjoyed a happy marriage that lasted over 12 years before her transition. They attended Emmanuel Church of God in Christ in Tupelo, Mississippi, under the leadership of Pastor Jeremiah Penro.

Sister Cotton enjoyed being a wife, cooking, working, and spending time with family and friends. She was dedicated to caring for her husband and parents and was an impeccable dresser with style and grace. She planned and cooked most of the food for the family's Thanksgiving dinner every year. She also enjoyed traveling and could handle money like nobody's business. During her younger years at Fifteenth Street, Mrs. Cotton enjoyed being part of the music ministry.

She was preceded in death by her father, Mr. Odell Shelton, and grandparents, Mr. Josh and Mrs. Mary Ida Shelton.

To cherish her memory, she leaves her loving and devoted husband, Minister David Cotton, Saltillo, MS; a son, Mr. David Cotton, Jr., North Carolina; a daughter, Bianca Thomas, Tuscaloosa, AL; five grandsons; her parents, Mr. Willie and Mrs. Lillie Scott, Columbus, MS; three brothers, Mr. James (Ann) Shelton, Columbus, MS, Billy (Dora) Scott, Starkville, MS, and Reginald (Teresa) Scott, Chicago, IL; several nieces and nephews; an uncle, Mr. Amos Shelton; two aunts, Mrs. Mildred Shelton and Mrs. Gertrude Shanklin, Columbus, MS; and numerous relatives and friends, including Lynn, Sue, Booney, Renee, Brenda, and her goddaughter, Mallory Byrd.