Linda Cotton

June 13, 1969 - January 18, 2021

Linda Kay Smith Cotton “Candy” was born June 13, 1969, to the late Richard Smith and Alice Marie Waller. Linda confessed her belief in Christ at an early age at Greater Mt. Calvary Baptist Church in Memphis, Tennessee. In 1989 she joined Greater Mt. Hermon, where she faithfully served as an usher and later became church secretary and recently became First Lady of Greater Mt. Hermon under the leadership of Pastor Lester Cotton. Linda attended Corry Jr. High and Fairley High School. Linda departed this life on January 18, 2021, at the age of 51. She leaves to cherish her memories: her loving husband of seventeen years, Pastor Lester Cotton; her daughter, Amanda Goss; her son, Artavius Gregory; her grandsons, Dillon Gipson, Kamryn Gregory, and Brison Gregory; her granddaughter, Khloe Gipson; five sisters, Pauline Jefferson, Alberta Smith-Cotton, Lonnie Beaman, Carolyn Smith and Hattie Rudley; four brothers, Bernard Moore (Linda), Douglas Moore (Gwendolyn), Richard Smith (Nicole) and Will Smith (Nyla); her mother-in-law, Ruby Neil Pankey; father-in-law, Herman Pankey; four brothers-in-law, James Montrell Pankey (Christina), Kenneth Cotton, Johnny Cotton, and Antwan Pankey (Tiffani); two special nieces, Kanise Smith and Alexis Smith; and a host of other nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Linda was preceded in death by her son, Derrick Smith; her granddaughter, Aubrey Gregory; her brother, Warren Leonard; and her brother-in-law, Steve Cotton.