Deborah A. Cottrell

Deborah Anithra Cottrell was born on October 7, 1957 in Joliet, IL to Dorothy Mae Stokes-Cottrell and John Wesley Cottrell, both of whom preceded her in death.

Deborah was the oldest of Dorothy’s three children. She was creative, outgoing, and loving with a welcoming spirit that drew people from near and far. Deborah gave her life to Christ our Lord and Savior at an early age and continued to be a believer that Jesus died for our sins until the end.

Deborah attended Joliet Central High and transferred to St. Francis Academy where she majored in Art, Interior Designs and Southern Cuisine Cooking. Upon graduating, she attended Chicago Interior Design School to pursue her love of Decorating, Crotchet and Chinese Art Design.

Deborah gave birth to two beautiful children; Syreeta Cottrell born in 1975, who preceded her in death and Robert Nicholas Lee, born in 1982. She often spoke about the love of both of her children and continued to praise God in the midst of her challenges while battling Cancer.

Deborah worked many jobs but her strong work ethics led her to be a Lead Electrical and Maintenance Engineer at the Hilton Hotels in Atlanta, GA. Deborah loved to bowl, crotchet, design homes and cook. Deborah loved to host dinner parties with a stylish and distinguished flair and she definitely had an astute since of style, she loved to dress and make her presence known when walking in an event.

On Friday, September 5, 2019 at 3:20 PM, our Heavenly Father decided that Deborah’s job was done here on earth and granted her wings to join her beloved father, mother and daughter in Heaven. 

She Leaves to cherish her loving memories to  her son, Robert E. Lee of Sauk Trail, IL; two siblings;  Wesley (Maria) Cottrell of Joliet, IL and (aka Lola) Jacquenette Cottrell of Joliet, IL; three nieces and nephews; Kyla (Terrance) Lurry of Atlanta, GA, Bianca Patrice Ellis of Joliet, IL and Christian E-Lan Cottrell of Joliet, IL and a host of great nieces and nephews; aunts and uncles with extended family members  and friends that will truly miss her dearly.

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