Irene M. Cotton

Irene M. Cotton, of Cerritos, California, was born on January 14, 1927, in Sheffield, Alabama from the union of Howard John and Mamie Lue Arnold. She passed away at 92 on June 18, 2019. She had two younger sisters, Corrie Lene Arnold and Johnette Williams, both preceded her in death.

Irene spent her early years on a farm with her grandparents. She spent her formative years in Memphis, Tennessee and graduated from Booker T. Washington High School. She attended a local secretarial school and worked for local businesses. While living In Memphis, Irene started a family and was blessed with seven wonderful children, who she loved dearly. In 1963, she moved her family to California where she purchased a home in Compton and later in Cerritos. While her children were still in school, she worked in the aerospace industry, and received her Associate of Arts degree from Compton College. Later, she obtained a Bachelor and Masters degree in Sociology from California State University, Dominguez Hills. After graduating, she worked for the County of Los Angeles as a Social Worker where she retired after numerous years of dedicated service.

Irene was preceded in death by her first born, John Arnold (Joy). She is survived by her six children who love her dearly: Carolyn Watson (Richard), Keith Arnold (Shirley), Genevieve Thompson, Cheryl Jupiter (Peter), Eric Arnold, and Pamela Colley (Marc); numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, a great-great grandchild, nieces, a nephew, cousins and friends.

Friends and family can pay their respects at the visitation on Monday, July 1 from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm at Forest Lawn-Cypress, 4471 Lincoln Avenue, Cypress, California 90630. Following, there will be a funeral service, officiated by Pastor Keith B. Arnold, from 2:00 to 3:00 pm at Forest Lawn-Cypress in the Church of Our Fathers.