OBITUARY
Dyann Killingworth Cotton was born to the late Abraham and Eula Mae Killingworth on January 12, 1958 in Doddsville, Mississippi. She departed this earthly life, at home, surrounded by loved ones on Sunday, April 26, 2020.
Dyann accepted Christ as her Lord and Savior at an early age in Mississippi. In her adult years, Dyann joined St. Mark Missionary Baptist Church in Harvey, IL where she served her church family as the head usher for many years.
Dyann began her formal education in Blain, MS and went on to attend Rulesville Central High School. As a natural caregiver, Dyann became a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) in Cleveland, MS. She later became a Registered Nurse (RN) in Chicago and went on to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Olivet Nazarene University.
Dyann fully embraced her calling into nursing. Over her 44-year career, she held positions at Green Tree Nursing Home, Ingalls Memorial Hospital, Loyola University Hospital, and completed her career as Clinical Nurse Manager of the GU Clinic and Ambulatory Surgery at Hines VA Hospital. Dyann’s no-nonsense, yet caring, personality built lasting friendships at every place she worked.
One of her dear friends at Hines VA Hospital said, “some of my best memories [of Dyann] were our times in the open-heart surgery room where we were nicknamed Diana Ross and the Supremes.”
Dyann
– enforcer and confidant –
the perfect balance of strong disciplinarian and cuddly teddy bear.
Dyann devotedly loved her family and friends. Whatever you needed, if Dyann had it, she would share it. When she wasn’t at work, you could find her caring for family members or staying up late helping her kiddos with school projects. But, Dyann also tried to live a balanced. She loved taking cruises with her girlfriends, YOLO trips with her children, and hosting family holiday dinners. As a testament to her commitment to family, Dyann rarely missed an opportunity to plan or attend a Killingsworth family reunion. Those Greenwood, Atlanta and New Orleans Killingsworth reunions were legendary!
Dyann’s laugh could fill the entire room! On the gloomiest day, one of Dyann’s laughs would always make you feel as if the sun were shining. And, a visit with her was incomplete if you didn’t hear the laugh that made your soul happy.
Dyann
– wife, mother, mom-ty, sister, auntie, niece, cousin and friend –
lived a full and happy life!
Dyann has known her husband – Lee Cotton – her entire life. Some of their fondest memories were when 7-year-old Dyann got her ears pierced by Lee’s mom (Miss QT) in their family kitchen and later in life when Dyann cried in her Sonic milkshake as they migrated from Mississippi to Chicago. Lee and Dyann held on to each other through the laughs and the tears.
Dyann
– provider and legacy builder –
believed there’s no greater love than family.
Dyann leaves behind her husband – Lee Cotton of Harvey, IL. She was mom and momty (mom-auntie) to 4 children: Tracy Lewis-Williams (Eric) of Fitchburg, WI; Larry Lewis of Harvey, IL; Danielle Killingworth of Chicago, IL; and, Daniel Killingworth (deceased) of Chicago, IL. Dyann cherished her two grandsons: Eric Jr and Larry Jr.
Dyann had unique relationships with each member of her family. Dyann and Lee used to be called “Archie and Edith Bunker” – they even had matching chairs in the living room; Dyann and Tracy were true “Ridas” – they were inseparable from the day Tracy was born; Dyann and Danielle were partners in crime and “co-cackling hens” – they would stay up all night laughing and talking; and, of course, Dyann and Larry had that “old-school mother/son” relationship – she saw him as her big, strong and brave protector.
Dyann was one of 12 children: Sammie (Betty) Menifield (deceased) of Mound Bayou; Jessie (Shirley) Killingworth (deceased) of East St. Louis, IL; Bobby Jean Killingworth (deceased) of Harvey, IL; James (Dorothy) Killingworth (deceased) of Greenwood, MS; Louis (Gloria) Killingsworth of Milwaukee, WI; Andrew (Charlotte) Killingworth of Chicago, IL; Tommy (Kim) Killingsworth of Tacoma, WA; Danny (Betty) Killingsworth of Chicago, IL; Debra Ann Wardlow of New Britain, Connecticut; Linda Killingsworth of Chicago Heights, IL; and, Christopher Killingsworth of Harvey, IL. Dyann also leaves to mourn numerous nieces, nephews, grand nieces and nephews, cousins, and friends.
Dyann was a mighty warrior and fought a valiant 5-year battle with pancreatic cancer! She kept the faith and radiated a spirit of resilience as she survived longer than 99% of people with the same disease. Her doctors called her a miracle woman for enduring over 50 rounds of chemotherapy and 100s of doctor’s visits. Through her strong prayer life, the prayers of family and friends, and her determination to “live her best life”, she kept a positive attitude.