Paula Cotton, 75, of Little Elm, Texas passed away peacefully early on August 15, 2023. She was surrounded by what she loved most: her family, her memories in photos, and sunflowers. She was born to Erie Moore as snow gently fell in Chicago, Illinois late in the evening on Sunday, January 11, 1948. A few years later, she transitioned from city life to the small town of Harris, Oklahoma, where she lived with her grandparents.
Moving to Oklahoma brought her directly into the path of the person who would change her life forever: Clifton Cotton. She met Clif at Riverside Elementary in the fifth grade, and from then on it was just Clif and Paula. She was the prettiest, smartest, kindest girl he’d ever met, and remains so to this day. He always loved her smile, loved talking to her, loved just being around her; she was special. Married for 56 years, she is the love of his life.
Paula was her class valedictorian at Riverside High School and graduated from Langston University. She then attended East Central University and earned two masters degrees in Education while working and raising her two young children. She was a devoted and beloved educator in Oklahoma and Texas for nearly 40 years.
Paula’s proudest accomplishment was her family. Her daughter Kimberly and son Clifton, Jr., live in Frisco, Texas and have successful careers. Much more than success, though, Paula cultivated a loving, close-knit family. There was nothing she loved more than her husband, children, and grandchildren.
Paula’s fridge was always stuffed to the brim, filled with seemingly random ingredients she could whip into a warm home-cooked meal on a whim. She enjoyed cooking and baking for her loved ones, and they will continue to enjoy her rum cake at holidays every year.
Her husband, daughter, son, daughter-in-law, and four grandchildren honor her by living their lives filled with love, as she did. From Paula, Clif, Sr., learned the importance of being kind, and that kindness doesn’t take much. Kim learned the importance of truly caring for others and having compassion and empathy. Clif, Jr., learned how to love others with intensity. Clif’s wife, Terri, learned that once you enter her family, you are indeed "her family", what unconditional love for family looks like, as well as that you're never too old to try to be better. Her granddaughter, Aliya, learned that just about anything can be healed with a good book (or by gargling with warm salty water and a teaspoon of baking soda).
People who knew Paula use these words to describe her: kind, strong, sweet soul, soooo smart, knew a lot about a lot, and beautiful inside and out.
The family is thankful for the love shown to Paula during her life.
A Celebration of Life will be held for Paula at 2 pm on September 10, 2023, at Berkshire Chapel, 9073 Berkshire Drive, Frisco, Texas 75033.