Michael Eugene Cotton, 60, was born in Iredell County, N.C., on February 19, 1964, and was the son of Mary Elizabeth Cotton and the late Robert Carl Cotton. He departed this life on Sunday, February 2, 2025, at Atrium Health – Main in Charlotte, N.C.

He was preceded in death by his step-father, Charlie Pittman; grandparents, Florence Rankins and Nathaniel Rankins; one brother, Bobby Cotton; one brother-in-law, Lamont Kinney; one sister, Stephanie Allison; and one nephew, Richard Cain.

Michael was a 1983 graduate of Statesville High School, and he attended Livingston College, in Salisbury, N.C.. He worked at Kewaunee Scientific Manufacturing, as a machine operator. He also worked in construction and as a handyman. Michael’s side job was cutting down trees. He was a local DJ during his younger years. He loved his family and people. Michael was a “giver.” He was the type of person who literally gave you the shirt off his back. He loved family gatherings and would plan a cookout just to DJ for the entire neighborhood “loudly.” He never met a stranger and had that “Cotton” sense of humor. He always found joy in the smiles of others. Michael will truly be missed.

He leaves to cherish the memories of his life, along with his mother, Mary Rankins Cotton of Statesville, a daughter, April Marie Harper, of Statesville, whose mother is Marva Harper; four sisters, Sharon (Richard) Cain, Joyce (Ronnie) Chambers, Kassana Cotton White, and Monica Kinney, all of Statesville; one brother, Rodney (Channeil) Garner; a brother-in-law, Greg White; one god sister, Tonetta Stevenson; two special nieces, Ashley White and Dawn Garner; two special cousins, Nathaniel “Jed” Rankins and Derwin Rankins; two uncles, Roosevelt Booker and Jerry Campbell; two aunts, Mildred Booker and Sadie Campbell; and a host of other nephews, nieces, cousins, uncles, aunts, other relatives and friends, also his church family, Cameron Presbyterian Church.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Cameron Presbyterian Church, on Thursday, February 6, 2025. Visitation will be held from 12:30 until 1 p.m. Reverend Timothy Bates will deliver the eulogy and burial will follow in the Belmont Cemetery in Statesville, NC. The family will assemble at the residence of his sister, Joyce (Ronnie) Chambers, 721 Glover Street, at all other times.

Visit the book of memories for Michael Eugene Cotton at www.rutledgeandbigham.com.

Rutledge and Bigham Funeral Home is serving the Cotton family.