A B Cotton

Ardis Brewer Cotton, “Mr. AB”, age 92, of Headland Alabama passed away Friday, February 16, 2018. 

Ardis was a World War II veteran and lifelong educator. He began his teaching career in Headland, Alabama at Headland Colored High School. Over his more than 30 years of teaching, Ardis impacted the lives of numerous students. He taught at Headland, Henry County and Abbeville Middle Schools, Albany State University, Headland Adult Education program and was a principle at Hartford High School. 

He was consummate community activist and champion for youth education helping youth in his community visit potential colleges, complete admissions materials and often providing financial assistance when he could. After retirement, Ardis worked at the Henry County Courthouse as a Voter Registrant. He felt that as US citizens and African Americans, we all had a responsibility to vote and to do what we could to make a difference in our communities.

Ardis graduated from High School in Saco Alabama. He received his Bachelor’s degree from Alabama State University and his Master’s degree from Tuskegee Institute. Ardis was a member of Phi Beta Sigma fraternity and the Masonic Lodge Fellowship 439.

Ardis was a beloved husband, father, grandfather and friend. He married the love of his life, Emma Mathis May 20, 1955. To this union three children were born – Byron, Lawrence and Kassandra. Ardis loved traveling with his wife and family throughout the United States and internationally. He also enjoyed organizing and attending the bi-annual Brewer Bean & Burney and Mathis Glanton Family reunions, participating in Phi Beta Sigma events and entertaining family, friends and former students in his home.

Ardis received Christ at an early age. He loved Christ and after moving to Headland Alabama joined Greater Shiloh Baptist Church where he served on various ministries and was a devoted Deacon, Financial Secretary and Sunday school teacher.

Ardis is preceded in death by his parents Lawrence and Charlotte Cotton; beloved wife of 63 years, Emma Cotton; son Lawrence; and two sisters and two brothers, Eulalia Coston,Oadie Ross, Samuel Cotton, and James Cotton (twin); grandson, James Sherrod, Jr. He is survived by his son Byron C. Cotton; daughter, Kassandra Sherrod (James); two granddaughters, Jade and Alora; daughter-in-law Betty; four sister-in-laws, Catherine Humphrey “like a daughter” (Willie), Brenda Cotton, Florine Mitchell, Genevieve Cotton; godson, Kendrick Spurling (LaFrances); numerous nephews, nieces and friends. 

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM Saturday, February 24, 2018 at Greater Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church, 12 Martin Luther King Dr., Headland, AL with Rev. Eddie W. Thomas of Mary Magdalene and Mt. Sinai Missionary Baptist Church, Newville Alabama officiating. Interment in Greater Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church Cemetery. 

The family will receive friends from 4:00 to 6:00 PM Friday, February 23, 2018 at Scott’s Chapel Hill Mortuary, 814 Headland Avenue, Dothan, AL.

If desired, in lieu of flowers, friends may make memorial contributions to the A.B. Cotton Scholarship Fund, Headland National Bank, 40 Main St., Headland, AL 36345. 

Condolences may be sent to the family at Ksherrod4444@yahoo.com or via mail at 11107 Old York Rd. Mitchellville, MD 20721.

The family would like to express our thanks for the many prayers, acts of kindness and wonderful help and care given by Lisa Carroll and the Anointed Touch Care Givers.

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