Gregory Donnell Cotton III
"Poke"
2002 – 2023
"The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want." - Psalm 23:1

Gregory Donnell Cotton III, the loving baby boy affectionately known as Poke, was born to Gregory Donnell Cotton II and Lashonda Renee Bradwell, in Bradenton, Florida, on September 1, 2002. Poke resided in the area until August 2022 when he relocated to Orlando, Florida.

Preceding Gregory in death were his great-grandmothers: Maggie Edwards-Miller and Annie Bea Miller; great-grandpa: Jimmie Lovett; great aunt: Joann Wamble; and aunt: LaDonna Evans.

Gregory was educated in the Manatee County School System, and a 2021 graduate of Braden River High School. He developed his talent for football which began with Little League and continued throughout his high school experience. As a result, he earned an athletic scholarship to play football at South Carolina State University in Orangeburg. He accepted the offer and was there during the 2021-2022 school year.

Gregory loved spending time with his family and friends, as well as gaming on his Play Station. He was quiet-natured and often regarded as a "Mama's Boy", but he was also close with his cousins and close friends.

Death is the last chapter in time but the first chapter in eternity. On Tuesday, April 25, 2023, the earthly chapter of Gregory Donnell Cotton III concluded so that he could begin a new and more promising one in eternal glory.

When someone you love becomes a memory, the memory becomes a treasure. Forever cherishing the treasured love, life, and legacy of Gregory Donnell Cotton III are his father: Gregory Donnell II of Bradenton, FL; mother: Lashonda Renee Bradwell of Orlando, FL, siblings: Ce'Asia Cotton and Ceon Cotton; maternal grandparents: Evone (Derrick) Williams of Bradenton, FL and Rufus Bradwell of Midway, FL; paternal grandparents: Sandra Cotton of Bradenton and Gregory Cotton, Sr. of Miami, FL; maternal great-grandparents: Rosa Williams of Midway, FL and Woodrow Edwards of Bradenton, FL; maternal aunt: Katarsha (Nigel) Murray; maternal uncles: Omar Edwards, Rufus Bradwell, and Ramirez Bradwell, all of Bradenton, FL; paternal uncle: Franklin Evans of Bradenton, FL; paternal aunts: Tiffany Evans, of Palmetto, FL, Patronia Cotton, Patricia Cotton, and Morgan Cotton, all of Miami, FL; best friend: Joshua Thomas; god-parents: Clinton (Tammy) Smith of Bradenton, FL; god-sister: Da'Niya King; god-brother: Jah'mir Austin; a host of other sorrowing relatives, and compassionate friends.