Mother Gracie Jane Whitfield Cotton, 88, of Fulcher Street, Suffolk, transitioned Friday, July 19, 2019, at her residence. She was the daughter of the late Mary Jane Whitfield and Sidney Whitfield. Besides her parents she was preceded in death by her husband Paul Cotton Sr., and daughter, Vanessa Cotton Brown.

She attended Nansemond County Schools and retired from Planters Peanuts in 1994 after 37 years of faithful and dedicated service. She was a member of Healing Fountain Macedonia Church of God in Christ. 

She leaves to cherish her memory her daughter, April Wiggins (Cotton), of Suffolk; five sons, Paul Cotton Jr., of Hampton, Gary Cotton, Jerome Cotton, Calvin Cotton (Merver) and Eldridge Cotton Sr., all of Suffolk; two brothers, William Whitfield (Gracie) and Ronnie Whitfield, both of Baltimore, Md.; 15 grandchildren; 27 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; a special niece, Lorraine Davis; a host of other relatives and friends.

A wake will be held from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Saturday, July 27, 2019, in the Melvin J. Blowe Chapel of Crocker Funeral Home. A celebration of life will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, July 28, 2019, at Metropolitan Baptist Church, 125 County St., Suffolk. Apostle Robert J. Branch will deliver the message of comfort. She will be laid to rest in Carver Memorial Cemetery. Professional services with dignity have been entrusted to Crocker Funeral Home Inc.