Obituary

On Tuesday, March 9, 2021, Lynda Cotton safely dropped off her students at their respective homes and ended her last day of work as a 15+ year bus driver for Putnam City Schools in Bethany, Oklahoma. Before returning to the school bus lot, she parked her bus and God called her Home. Lynda Lou Cotton was born to Lucille Brown-Bolden and Solomon Cotton on September 30, 1959, in Wichita, Kansas. She was the third child of eight children born from her mother, there being two other siblings from her father.

Lynda attended L'Ouverture Elementary, Brooks Junior High, and West High School. By order of birth, Lynda was the baby girl in the family. However, Lynda was no baby . At age 17 she set out on her own and moved to Oklahoma City, Oklahoma (OKC). Strong-willed, courageous, and determined, she persevered through her early years in OKC where she lived out her life, with exception of the 8+ years she lived in Shawnee, Oklahoma where she helped her Friend LaOtta Jawaun Tramble-Grant raise her two sons Wesley Grant and Caleb McLaurin, and nearly 2-year period when she went home to Wichita to care for her disabled sister Bonnie, after the death of her mother. In 1997, Lynda selflessly assumed the responsibility of being a fully committed Mother to her 6-months old nephew, Chayton D. Bolden. Lynda and Chayton lived together and loved and supported one another until she was called Home. She frequently mentioned how Chayton would comment to her "it's just us Nanny."

Lynda loved and believed in the Lord, God. She started every day reading scripture and texting prayers and words of encouragement to family and friends. "In fact, on the day of her passing," Lynda's cousin Frankie confirmed "she posted a couple of scriptures on her FACEBOOK page to start her day and encourage others." Her life was a demonstration of someone actively engaged on a mission to save souls. Year-round she prepared meals in her home and delivered them to senior citizens. She cared for numerous different family members over the years, including her late father, from whom she had been estranged for many years. She transported sick friends and family members to doctor's visits. Prior to the death of her friend Jawaun, at that time terminally ill, Lynda arranged to bring Jawaun, along with Caleb, home from the hospital to live with her and Chayton. Lynda voluntarily gave up her paycheck from Putnam City Schools, for nearly 2-years, to look after her sister Bonnie, and her niece Michelle Brown and Michelle's son Marcus. For years Lynda's vacation from work meant she went home to Wichita to give her mother a break from taking care of Bonnie. Lynda's service and commitment to God was demonstrated by a lifetime of taking good care of people.

Lynda was a family person. Nearly every holiday she would travel to her native Wichita and prepare meals for her family. She said she would do that because she knew that's what her mother liked. But Lynda liked family gatherings just as much as her mother. Lynda shared many of her mother's traits. Especially her big kind-loving heart. Ms. Lucille Bolden was a natural giver. And so too was Lynda. Especially when it came to Chayton. She made sure Chayton had every possible benefit she could provide him. She involved him in Little League sporting activities. She encouraged him to play the violin for most of his time in K -12, which helped Chayton earn a full four-year college scholarship for music. On more than one occasion, she mentioned how she had to relearn some academic topics so that she could help Chayton with his schoolwork. Lynda poured everything she had in her into Chayton. She loved him dearly. And she was so very-very proud of him. Of her many blessings, Chayton was her greatest.

Lynda is preceded in death by her parents Lucille Bolden and Solomon Cotton; sister, Bonnie Faye Brown; Special Friend LaOtta Jawaun Tramble-Grant.

Lynda leaves to cherish her memories: Special Nephews , Chayton D. Bolden of Oklahoma City OK, Wesley Grant of Shawnee OK, Caleb McLaurin of Oklahoma City OK; brothers, Gary Cotton of Wichita KS, Vernell Cotton of Wichita KS, William Earl Brown (Isaiah Williams) of Spring TX, Issac (Julie) Cotton of Wichita KS, Charles Bolden of Katy TX, Christopher L. Bolden of Wichita KS, Otis L. Bolden of Wichita KS; sister, Dorothy Ann (Farm) McCoy of Wichita KS; Uncle, Pastor Moses Brown of Wichita KS; Aunts, Essie L. Henry of Wichita KS, Edna M. Brown of Wichita KS, Mamie Brown of DeSoto TX; a host of other relatives and devoted friends; and Special Friends, Jessie and Shelia Adkins of Oklahoma City OK, Ms. Betty Burton of Omaha NE, Rev. Evonne Combs of Shawnee OK, Willie Mae Phillips of Shawnee OK, Susan Ellison of Midwest City OK, and her Putnam City Schools family.