Gloria Lorraine (Davis) Cotton

Gloria Lorraine Cotton

08/20/29-09/20/23

Heaven gained a new angel on September 20, 2023 as Ms. Gloria Cotton passed from this life at the age of 94.

Gloria Lorraine Davis was born to Charles William Davis and Violet Margaret (Forbes) Davis on August 20, 1929 in Sharon, Pennsylvania.  Her parents with Gloria and her younger brother Robert moved to East Chicago, Indiana where Gloria graduated from East Chicago Washington High School in 1946.

She met her future husband, Carl Cotton in Indiana and they were married on April 17, 1948.  Carl had been a seaman in the US Navy for 2 years prior to their marriage.  He later enlisted in the Army, so Gloria became an Army wife moving many, many times and learning to shoot at marksman level.

While Carl was stationed at Fort Ord, California; Carl met Walter Blake and a life-long friendship developed.  Once Carl and Walter were transferred to Fort Riley, Kansas; Gloria and Walter’s wife Pauline met and another life-long friendship developed.

As Carl & Gloria and Walter & Pauline served in the Army, their paths continued to cross and their friendship was strengthened.

Carl & Gloria never had any children, but became Godparents to Walter & Pauline’s five children.

Carl’s last duty station was Fort Bliss, Texas where he retired from the military and went back to school to become a teacher.  Gloria started working for the city of El Paso, Texas for many years.  She was a very intelligent woman and worked her way up through the ranks.  She handled payroll and Workers Compensation claims.  She was a stickler for the details, with a quick wit.  Her value as an employee was proven when after her retirement from the city, they called her several years later and asked her to return to the job.

Even during her career and retirement, Gloria was a “busy bee”.  She had volunteered in the surgery waiting room at William Beaumont Army Medical Center for over 30 years.  She was an excellent concert pianist and played for Sunday worship services at the Tobin Park Methodist Church in El Paso as well as holding several offices for the church since her membership in 1961.  Her gifted hands also made beautiful crochet work, hooked rugs, silversmithing and several hand-made quilts.  She enjoyed reading, collecting Hummel figurines, walking her dogs “Bunkie” and “Suzie Q” and she enjoyed traveling and had been to several countries overseas.  She and her friend Joyce loved to go to The Inn of the Mountain Gods in New Mexico for weekend gambling trips.

Gloria loved to travel to visit family and friends in Indiana, Florida and Nebraska including her friends Walter & Pauline.  Since Gloria had no children; the Blake kids; David, Butch, Kathy, Chris and Becky “Adopted” Gloria on June 27, 2010.  They had all signed a certificate stating this which Gloria proudly displayed.

Gloria made the decision to move to Grand Island, Nebraska to be close to family and friends that she had made on her many trips to Nebraska.  She became a member of the First Baptist Church of Dannebrog, Nebraska.  Gloria resided at Good Samaritan in Grand Island for about 2 ½ years until her death.

Gloria is preceded in death by her parents Charles & Violet, husband Carl, brother Robert, her life long friends Walter & Pauline and one Godson David.

Survivors include 2 nephews, Eric Davis & wife, Maribeth of Wesley, Chapel, Florida; Darrin Davis & wife, Patti of Highland, Indiana; godchildren, Kathy Blake of Peyton, Colorado, Butch & wife, Janette Blake of Dannebrog, Nebraska, Kathy Main of Wood River, Nebraska, Chris Blake of Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, and Becky Davis & husband, Alan of Phillips, Nebraska; great-nieces, Maya, Eleanor, Casey, Camryn; and great-nephew, Jacob.

She lived a good life and will be sorely missed.  A celebration of her life will be held at 10:30 A.M. on Saturday, October 7, 2023, at the First Baptist Church in Dannebrog.  Pastor Mike Bremer will be officiating.  Memorial’s are suggested to the family to be designated at a later date.