Charles Eugene Cotton

Charles Eugene "Charlie" Cotton peacefully departed from his earthly journey on February 4, 2024, in New Orleans, Louisiana. He was born on March 1, 1943, to Edith Wright and Seth Cotton. Charlie spent his early years in Harvey, LA with his sister, Earline. before the family moved to New Orleans.

His educational journey began at St. Leo the Great for primary school, where he began to show signs of academic ability, leading to St. Augustine for high school, and LSUNO (now University of New Orleans); in those schools he cultivated knowledge and friendships that would last a lifetime. His higher education culminated at Howard University School of Law in 1968 when he received his Juris Doctor degree.

After passing the Louisiana bar exam, Charlie's professional journey began in New Orleans as a grantee from New York's NAACP Legal Defense and Education Fund, Inc. which enabled him to return to Jim Crow Louisiana to fight for Civil Rights. He aligned with the new firm created by Robert Collins, Nils Douglas and Lolis Edward Elie dedicated to solving the legal problems of Black citizens. After two years of mentorship, Charlie started his own firm joining with two other Howard Law alumni- Ernest Jones and Hilliard Fazande. Following Fazande's withdrawal, the two remaining partners welcomed civil rights legend David Dennis and created the law firm of Cotton, Jones & Dennis which maintained offices in New Orleans and Lafayette. Over the years, the firm worked with numerous Black lawyers throughout the South

A keen legal analyst and writer, Charlie became an expert at employment discrimination law, getting relief for Black employees in the Lake Charles oil patch (Antoine v. Tenneco) and in the Bogalusa paper mill industry (Otis v. Crown Zellerbach). He initiated litigation to meaningfully integrate the New Orleans police force (Williams v. City of N.O.) and provided legal help to the Black Panther Party, the Black Organization of Police and the Republic of New Africa.

Charlie leaves an earthly legacy of an impactful legal career with memories and stories of social escapades that his friends and acquaintances will tell with delight for years to come. He was truly an unforgettable character.

Special loss will be felt by Charlie's son Marcus Morris and his mother, Faye Morris, who was Charlie's helpful companion in his declining years. He also leaves to mourn a daughter, Faye Faharen Richardson, who he found late in life. Charlie's youngest son, Marcel Cotton, did not survive his youth.

A memorial service and celebration of life in honor of Attorney Cotton will be held on June 1, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at 4939 Chef Menteur Highway, New Orleans, Louisiana. For memories and condolences visit www.legacy.com.

In lieu of flowers, donations in his name may be made to the Louis A. Martinet Foundation at www.gnomartinet.com or P.O. Box 57785, New Orleans LA 70157.