Zona Marie Cotton

Zona Marie “Mae” Cotton, 28, of Dothan, Alabama, passed away peacefully on December 8, 2025, at her home. She was born on August 25, 1997, in Albany, Georgia, at Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital.

Zona was always surrounded by dear friends and had a gift for bringing life and laughter to every dull moment. An avid and devoted animal lover, she adored her cat, Jinxx, her loyal companion of 17 years who never left her side.

She graduated from Goddard High School in Roswell, New Mexico, in 2015. Zona was the kind of person who rarely said no—she put others first, loved wholeheartedly, and gave generously of herself, especially to her family, with whom she shared a close and cherished bond.

One of Zona’s greatest joys was the beach. The ocean was her place of peace, her sanctuary. She was a certified scuba diver and took every opportunity to explore the underwater world, especially when it meant swimming with manatees, an experience she treasured deeply.

Zona is preceded in death by her father, Ellis Dean Cotton; grandfather, Sam Cagle; grandmother, Mary L. Cagle and uncle, Brady Cagle. Zona is survived by her mother, Donna Cagle; paternal grandparents, Daniel and Jean Cotton; maternal aunts, Kelly Cagle and Amy Cagle; paternal aunts, Karen Gautney (Jeff) and Stephanie Jones (David); cousins, Blake Blankenship and Emma Blankenship (Jeremiah Morgan), and several other loving family members.

The family would like to recognize three of Zona’s dear and devoted friends, Shernice Lampkin, Shanique Chambers, and Trestine McDonald—for their unwavering support, love, and dedication.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 2:00 p.m. (CST) on December 19, 2025, at Ward Wilson Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Ward Wilson Funeral Home.

Zona will be remembered for her bright spirit, her kindness, and the love she generously shared with everyone around her. Her memory will forever remain in the hearts of those who knew and loved her.

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