Mary Elizabeth Shan Cotton

Mary Elizabeth Shan Cotton, 64, loving wife, caring mother, adoring grandmother, sister and faithful servant of Christ, went to be with her Savior on Friday morning, July 1, 2011, shortly after 7 a.m.Mary was born on May 31, 1947, the youngest of 6 children born to the late Virgil Shan and the late Avanelle Harris Shan in Kenefick, Oklahoma. She was raised in the Carlsbad, New Mexico area where she would attend and graduate from High School. During this time, she would meet Don Cotton. As high school sweet-hearts, they married on Feb. 19, 1965.With her husband, she would move to Window Rock, AZ. and also to Gallup, NM., where they would start and raise their family. God would bless them with two daughters, Jane and Julie.In 1996, Mary and Don would move to Argyle, Texas. Shortly thereafter, she began working for the Argyle Independent School District as a teacher's aide where she continued until the decline of her health.Mary loved music, playing the piano and singing. She enjoyed cooking, gardening, and camping, with her favorite family camping trips occurring in Colorado.Mary's greatest gift was as a giver and servant. As a doting grandmother, she would never be weary in caring for family. Even during her illness, she always had a smile and word of encouragement for others. Mary had a way of bringing out the best in everyone. She had a wonderful attitude, always positive, even during her darkest days.One of her favorite scriptures is found in the book of Isaiah. "They that wait upon the Lord will renew their strength. They will mount up with wings as eagles. They will run and not be weary, they shall walk, and not faint".She is survived by her husband of 46 years, Don W. Cotton; daughters, Julie Caldwell and her husband Jerry, Jane Horn and her husband Patrick; grandchildren, Crystal Vivian Lopez and her husband Nick, Cody Vivian, Jerred Caldwell, Jordan Caldwell; great-grandchildren, Levi Lopez and Skylar Lopez.Also by brothers, Jackie Shan, Edgel Shan; sisters, Geneva Muncrief, Eva Dobbins and Kiva Freeman.Visitation: 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday. Funeral: 10 a.m. Wednesday, July 6, 2011. Both visitation and funeral will be at The Heartland Church, 4020 Nazarene Drive, Carrollton, TX., 75010.Burial will follow at 3 p.m. at Rock Creek Cemetery near Mineral Wells, Texas.

Mary Elizabeth Shan Cotton

May 31, 1947 - July 1, 2011