24 25 Black Pages - Flipbook - Page 93
Memorial Tribute to...
Bernice Cotton
March 2, 1944 - February 17, 2025
Bernice Cotton was born in Washington County, Georgia to the parentage of the
late Thomas Jones and Imogene Jones. She attended D.D. Crawford Elementary
School; graduated from T.J. Elder High School and furthered her education at
Broward County School of Business & Cosmetology in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. She
served many capacities in the city of Macon, which included The Tax Equalization
Board, Volunteer Macon, The American Cancer Society and Teen Pregnancy Group.
Bernice received Proclamations from former Governor Joe Frank Harris and former
Mayor, George Israel for Ambassador of Gospel Music. She was a member of the
Gospel Announcers Guild and received The Announcer Pioneer Award, which was
presented to her by the late James Cleveland. Bernice received The Kwanza Award
of Atlanta and the Community Service Award. Her accomplishments include 13
years as a Gospel Radio Announcer and Sales Consultant for radio stations WBML,
WIBB and WDDO.
The Macon Branch of the NAACP named her among the Fifty Influential Women
in Macon. She was also chosen as one of the 35 Black Women in Middle Georgia,
“Standing on Your Shoulders”. Bernice was honored with a Proclamation from
Mayor C. Jack Ellis, Proclaiming April 1, 2000 as being “Bernice Cotton Day”; She
was also honored with a Proclamation from former Mayor Jim Marshall where
she received a Pioneer Award as WIBB celebrated their 50th Anniversary; She was
inducted into the Georgia Music Hall of Fame. As a member of Greater Overcoming
Church of God, she served on the Usher Board for many years; she worked the
Prayer Line and was President of The Missionary Board. Bernice worked in any
capacity she was asked. She believed in doing the works of the one who sent her,
“God”!
She loved flowers. She created some of the most floral beautiful arrangements for
Bentley; She was the owner and operator of Bernice’s Florist & Catering Services.
Her favorite scripture, “I look to the hills from whence cometh my help, all my help
cometh from God who made heaven and earth.”
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