Zonnie Ann Cotton

Zonnie “Ann” Cotton, 85, of Mexia entered into her heavenly home, reuniting with her loving husband, Sunday, April 3, 2022.

Ann, a lifelong Mexia resident, was born on October 6, 1936 to V.L. & Lydia Esteline (Spruiell) Haley in, what is known today as, the Tehuacana Valley.

After high school, Ann met and married the love of her life, Jimmie Weldon, on June 4, 1955. Ann and Jimmie were blessed with two boys, Jimmie Lee & Johnnie Dale. While the boys were young, Ann was what we would consider a stay-at-home-mom. She was an exceptional wife and a devoted mother. After the boys were in school, Ann spent the rest of her working days as a nurse for Dr. Carrington, Dr. Buchmeyer, and Gordon Lee, PA.

In her younger years, Ann enjoyed traveling, listening to music, being called Nanny, and making matching shirts for her grandkids to wear at the annual Sanderson Reunion. Oh, how she loved all of her grandchildren!  Ann looked forward to the annual family reunions and was even “in charge” of planning them for many years. Ann and Jimmie loved children and any, and all, were always welcomed in their home. If you spent any time in the Cotton house, you knew Ann could cook. She was best known, by her kids and grandkids, for making her one of a kind, “kinda” secret recipe, get in trouble if you touched "Nanny Beans". Even though she has shared the recipe with family, no one has quite been able to duplicate them exactly.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Jimmie Weldon Cotton; parents, V.L. & Lydia Haley; brother, W.A. Haley and wife, Shirley; and her eldest granddaughter, Jyme Brooke (Cotton) Christensen.

She is survived by her sons, Jimmie Lee Cotton and wife, Suzanne of Mexia and Johnnie Dale Cotton and wife, Ruth of New Mexico; dearest sister-in-law, Helen Isham, of Waco; six grandchildren, Alyssa Sullivan, Waylan Cotton, Jamie West, Kimberly Hullums, Ami Wietzikoski, and Chani Kantis; numerous great grandchildren, other family members and close friends.

Funeral services will be held at Blair-Stubbs Chapel on Thursday, April 7, 2022 at 2:00 p.m. with Gordon Lee officiating; visitation with the family will be prior to the service beginning at 1:00 p.m.  Interment will follow in the Mexia Cemetery.  Pallbearers will be Terry Cooper, Tommy Cox, Steve Jackson, Mike Jarrell, Brick Sullivan, and Scotty Wadle.