Shirley Jean Cotten, 77,  born in Princess Anne County, Virginia transitioned on Thursday, October 21, 2021, in Portsmouth, Virginia.  Mrs. Cotten, affectionately known as Shirl, Jean, Meme, or Lovey was the daughter of the late Mr. Lonnie White and late Mrs. Rebecca Harper (formerly White).  She was preceded in death by her loving husband, Mr. Wallace Pernal Cotten, son Tracey Everett Cotten and half sibling Johnnie Harper II.

Shirley J. Cotten attended Crestwood Junior High School in Chesapeake, Virginia.  She later matriculated at Booker T. Washington High School in Norfolk, Virginia where she excelled in scholastics.  While she was rather gifted in school, Shirley's path in life was destined to take her around the world after meeting and falling in love with a young, charming Navy sailor, Mr. Wallace Pernal Cotten. They soon united in marriage and enjoyed a fulfilling union that lasted just shy of 60 years until the passing of Mr. Cotten in 2020.  Although she had an accounting career working for various companies, her most rewarding profession was being a loving mother/grandmother and devoted family caretaker.

Anyone that knew Mrs. Cotten knew she was an amazing cook.  Family and friends often requested her tasty gumbo or coconut pineapple cake, in addition to other delicious cultural cuisines that she learned to prepare while living in Puerto Rico, Mississippi, Japan and Florida.  Later in life, Shirley and her cherished husband Wally often had date nights together savoring sushi and seafood.  After traveling around the globe together, the Cotten family decided to move back to Virginia to be closer to family members.

As a young child/teen, Shirley became a member of Mt. Sinai Baptist Church in Virginia Beach, Virginia.  Shirley eventually joined her family's social club known as La Gran Coeur II.  The members of the club held meetings, hosted parties, and supported the treasured family community Queen City - located on the border line of Chesapeake and Virginia Beach.  Mrs. Cotten often joined her busy husband Wally by supporting various political campaigns, signing people up for Red Cross blood drives and collecting toys for under privileged children.

Shirley also followed in the fashionable footsteps of her beautiful, charming mother, Mrs. Rebecca Harper.  She enjoyed purchasing colorful jewelry, stylish shoes, and had an extensive collection of Michael Kors purses.  Shirley once joked that she had never seen an MK purse that she did not love. During her more active years, Ms. Cotten never missed an opportunity to see her favorite artists Frankie Beverly and Maze, Teddy Pendergrass, Will Downing or Kem in concert.

A loving, devoted widow, Shirley (Meme) leaves to cherish her memory son Shawn Kerry Cotten of Orlando, Florida and Shelley Loren Cotten Byrd of Bowie, Maryland.  Shirley also leaves 7 adoring grandchildren, 7 great-grandchildren, step-sister Marsha Harper, numerous fur babies, and a host of other cherished aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.

A funeral service will be held 11:00 am on Saturday, October 30, 2021 at First Church Of South Norfolk, 1605 Bainbridge Blvd, Chexapeake. Viewing will be held from 5pm until 7pm Friday, October 29, 2021 at Pretlow and Sons Funeral Home, Chesapeake.

A graveside service and burial will be held 11:00 a.m. on Friday, November 5, 2021 at Albert G. Horton, Jr.,  Memorial Veterans Cemetery, 5310 Milners Road, Suffolk, VA 23434.

You may join the service livestream at: