Sue Ann (Sponseller) Cotton

Sue Ann Cotton, 85, of Mt. Pleasant, passed away peacefully at home on Monday morning, April 21, 2025, surrounded by her loving family.

Born October 7, 1939, in Mt. Pleasant, Sue was the daughter of George and Winifred (Smith) Sponseller. She graduated from Mt. Pleasant High School in 1958. In April 1963, she married Peter Jennings Cotton, sharing more than five decades of marriage until his passing in 2015. Together, they built homes and lasting friendships across four states: California, Wisconsin, Texas, and Michigan.

Sue's professional life was as varied as it was meaningful. She began in the travel industry, helping others explore the world through her work with Mt. Pleasant Travel, where she opened offices in both Mt. Pleasant and Alma. Later, while living in California, she entered the pioneering field of aerospace as a data processing technician, eventually managing archives as a data librarian. After returning to Michigan, she managed the Mt. Pleasant Salvation Army Thrift Store and later found joy in volunteering with the Isabella County Commission on Aging (for 18 years) and with the thrift store supporting the Isabella Child Development Center.

Nature was both a passion and a solace for Sue. She found peace among flowers, joy in working the soil, and a sense of purpose in preserving the beauty of the natural world. But more than anything, Sue was proudest of her role as a mother and grandmother. Her children and grandchildren were the light of her life, and she cherished every visit, every milestone, and every day shared with them.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Peter; brother Lester Sponseller; sister-in-law Judith Sponseller; and in-laws Arlene and James Cotton.

Sue is survived by her children, Ann (Todd) Ehrman, John (Mona) Cotton, and Timothy (Kristin Moutsatson) Cotton; grandchildren, Cody (Cheyenne) Sampson, Keegan Ehrman, Alayna Cotton, Ashley Cotton, Conner (Kelsey) Wood, Sage Wood; great-granddaughter Josephine Wood; siblings Kirk (Nancy Priestap) Sponseller, George (Sherry) Sponseller, and Kay (Richard) Rieck; brother-in-law Jim (Joan) Cotton; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

A celebration of Sue's life will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 10 at Charles R. Lux Family Funeral Home with Celebrant (and niece) Michelle Sponseller officiating. A luncheon will follow in Lincoln Reception Center (attached to the funeral home). The family will receive friends on Friday, May 9, from 4-7 p.m. and on Saturday one hour before the service.  A private family burial will follow at a later time.

Memorial contributions may be made to Commission on Aging or Isabella Child Development Center. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.