Julia "Joyce" Cotton

Julia Joyce Chambers Cotton, age 92, recently of Olney, Maryland, went to be with her Lord on Monday, August 29, 2022.

Joyce was born July 9, 1930, in Washington, D.C. to Ralph and Helen Chambers.  Joyce was predeceased by her husband of 67 years, James Lee Cotton, their daughter, Barbara, and five siblings - Ralph (Jr.), Jim, Joe, Helen Marie and John.

Joyce graduated from Trinity College in Washington, D.C., and worked for the Central Intelligence Agency.  She married James Cotton on September 20, 1952.  Joyce was blessed with seven children: Christine (Dana), James (Erin), Marie (Don), Loretta (Ben), Richard (Gina), Barbara, and Bill (Cindy); 16 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren.  In addition to managing the many demands of a large family, Joyce worked in the school cafeteria and was active in her Catholic faith communities, teaching CCD classes and serving as Lector and Eucharistic Minister.

The Cotton household was always a gathering place for extended family and Joyce enjoyed hosting large gatherings, both in their Springfield home and their Lake of the Woods cabin. As an empty nester, Joyce worked as an Office Assistant, processing insurance claims.  Upon Jim’s retirement, Joyce and Jim enjoyed traveling from their home bases in Northern Virginia and Orlando, Florida to destinations across the US and Europe.  In their later years, Joyce and Jim settled in North Carolina.  Following Jim’s death, Joyce recently relocated to Olney, Maryland.

Visitation will begin at 10:30 am on Saturday, September 3, 2022 at St. Patrick Church, 4101 Norbeck Road, Rockville, Md 20853; where the Mass of Christian Burial (preceded by the Eulogy) will begin at 11:30am.  A luncheon will be offered following the service and details will be provided at the Church.