Janie Anderson Cotton

Janie Anderson Cotton, 82, passed away peacefully in the ear4ly morning hours on July 18, 2015. Janie was born August 3, 1932 in Muskogee, OK to Glen and Dove Anderson. At the age of three, she moved with her family to Oklahoma City, eventually graduating from Classen High School. Janie attended the University of Oklahoma and was a proud member of Chi Omega sorority. In what became the hallmark of her life, Janie was active across campus in featured roles in Sooner Scandals and University Sing. While at OU, she met the love of her life, Larry Joe Cotton, and they were married during her sophomore year. Following her graduation from OU, Janie embarked on a life dedicated to service for others. She taught school for several years and eventually became a civic volunteer with immeasurable impact. Although she was active in too many organizations and clubs to list them all, among her most cherished memories involved her time as the first President of the Quail Creek School PTA, Junior Hospitality, Northside YMCA board of Directors and Classen Alumni Association Board. As a volunteer with the American Cancer Society, Janie was President of the Oklahoma County Unit and Residential Crusade Chairperson. She served on the state board as State Special Events Chairperson and was named the Outstanding Volunteer of the ACS. Janie gave of her time and effort to the American Lung Association and was elected as Christmas Seal Chairperson. She was a committee chairperson for the Arts Festival and active with the Oklahoma Garden Festival. Janie also found great joy with her many friends as a member of the Bu Ray Group, Bridge Club, Sewing Club (that didn't sew!) and OU Football Wives Club. Additionally, as a staunch Republican and conservative idealist, she was an Election Day poll inspector, Registrar, and member of in-house voting for the local Election Board. Janie was a proud Sooner serving on the OU Alumni Council and Advisory Boards, Secretary-Treasurer of the OU Club of Oklahoma City and lifetime member of the OU Alumni Association. However, her time as a sister in Chi Omega sorority brought some of her greatest joys. She served as President and Rush Advisor for Oklahoma City, Mom's Club President and Panhellenic Delegate, and President of the OU House Corporation. As a testament to the love and devotion to her sisterhood, Janie attended every Chi Omega Biennial Convention for nearly 30 years. Notwithstanding all of her above accomplishments, Janie's most rewarding lifetime activity was the time spent with her children, grandchildren and friends. Blessed with a natural charm and style, Janie was at ease in any situation or group, making fast friends wherever she went. She has a remarkable ability to make anyone feel as though they were her best friend and was always regarded as another mother or grandmother to the friends of her children and grandchildren. Janie leaves a community, sorority, university, network of friends, and beloved family, immeasurably better for having known her and will be forever missed by all of them. Janie was preceded in death by her husband Larry and son Joe Cotton. She had a special relationship with and is survived by her loving daughter Cathy Kerr and husband Dick; grandchildren Katie and Colton Kerr; cherished nieces and nephews; close friends Stacy Tosh, as well as countless other dear friends and sorority sisters. Memorial Services will be Tuesday, July 21, at 2:00 PM at Crossings Community Church followed by a reception.