Following the news of Cortez Cotton’s death Sunday evening, the Reporter website was flooded with messages from the local community sending its love and support to the Cotton family and helping remember the type of person Cortez was.

The Reporter will continue to archive these testimonies.

Please feel welcome to speak your mind below.

Felicia wrote on November 29, 2005 4:34 PM:

&uot;He will be truly missed by many&uot;

Adrienne Montgomery wrote on November 29, 2005 4:31 PM:

&uot;I will miss Cortez dearly. He was so sweet and respectful, I have nothing but good memories of him. I will miss all of the conversations and laughs we shared. My prayers and condolences go out to his family. I love you and miss you Cortez.&uot;

Bethany &uot;B&uot; Dixon wrote on November 29, 2005 3:24 PM:

&uot;A million times we’ve missed you. A million times we’ve cried. If love alone could save you, You never would have died. In life we loved you dearly, And in death we love you still; For in our hearts you hold a place no one could ever fill. It broke our hearts to lose you, But you didn’t go alone, For a part of us went with you the day God took you home. &uot;

LASONYA PLAYER wrote on November 29, 2005 1:09 PM:

&uot;Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning…. Psalm 30:5 Cortez…You will be missed but not forgotten. You will continue to be in the hearts of all of those who came in contact with you.My condolences go out to the family and I will continue to keep you in my prayers. &uot;

Adam Pilling wrote on November 29, 2005 10:47 AM:

&uot;This was a terrible loss. Cortez was a great person that meant alot to his friends and family. He was an exceptional basketball player with a great smile and a sparkling personality. His death has meant the loss of a great person and leader of a great team. he is gone in body but his spirit will live on. God bless his family. may he rest in peace.&uot;

Adrienne Buie wrote on November 29, 2005 10:46 AM:

&uot;&uot;Cortez was a great friend, who will be missed dearly. i had a cahnce to talk to Cortez Saturday night at Taco Bell. That was the last time I talk to him. Cortez was a very sweet person. I love you so much Tez. You will always have a place in my heart.&uot;

Keasha Pickett wrote on November 29, 2005 10:38 AM:

&uot;I’ve known Cortez Cotton my entire life. He was the one of the shining stars of Shelby County High School. When he set out to accomplish something he was determined to do it in a short amount of time no matter who was trying to stand in his way he always found a way to block them and take the rebound all the way home just like on the court. when he done something he always wanted to do it right. He was a great person. I will always keep him and his family in my prayers. I will miss him very much. &uot;May God bless him and his family.&uot; &uot;

Danyelle McCary wrote on November 29, 2005 10:30 AM:

&uot;Cortez i didn’t meet you but i watched you play when you played against montevallo. in my mind when i think of you i think of when you was sitting on the bench waiting on your name to be called for starting line up and they said Cortez Cotton you jumped up fgetting hype because you knew you had this game but later on i found out you was my cousin and even though we did not meet you are still in my heart and i will always miss you and Always Love You!!!!!&uot;

Clint Mooney wrote on November 29, 2005 10:06 AM:

&uot;Cortez was a close friend of mine and impacted my life in many ways, of course on the basketball court but also with his attitude that nothing could stop him from achieveing his dreams. I was lucky enough to spend the saturday before the accident with him and made some memories I’ll never forget…We will all miss the memories of watching him soar to the rim for a dunk on a fast break, But now he can really fly!!!!&uot;

Tiffany cunningham wrote on November 29, 2005 9:03 AM:

&uot;&uot;Tez cotton a great friend and will be missed by several&uot; T I love you sooooo much! To the family I love you all GOD BLESS&uot;

Brittiney Shaw wrote on November 29, 2005 8:57 AM:

&uot;Cortez was a great person,friend, and basketball player. I know that Tez inspired a lot of people, especially on the basketball team. Tez was a very outgoing person who you couldn’t miss walking down the halls of Shelby County high school. I’m going to miss having conversations with him and him patting me on the top of head then saying &uot;Hey Gul&uot; as we passed each other in the hallway. He had a very bright future ahead of him and he knew that. I believe that God sent us Cortez as a great gift that will never be forgotten because even the people who didn’t know Cortez personally, will still hold that special spot in their hearts just for him. I will keep his family in my prayers and forever hold Tez’s spot in my heart.&uot;

Brooke Hughes wrote on November 29, 2005 8:44 AM:

&uot;Cortez was a wonderful person. I have known him for a long time and he made such a huge impact on my life. He knew what he want to do with his life and nothing was going to stop him. Nothing is the same without him here. Each day as I walk down the hallways at school, I still think he is going to walk by me and pat me on the head. Cortez-* I love you and miss you! I know you are in a better place. I will keep the memories we shared together in my heart forever. Nobody will ever be able to replace you. God Bless Your Family and Friends for having to deal with such a HORRIBLE loss. I’ll always be your #1 FAN! &uot;

Samantha Green wrote on November 28, 2005 11:14 PM:

&uot;Even though the encounters I had with Cortez were very interesting and full of fights, he was and still is a great person. I know for a fact that I used to hate to see him come whenever Shelby County and Montevallo would play each other. He’s a great person and will truly be missed from Columbiana to Montevallo, and throughout Shelby County. I will continue to pray for the family and keep God close because without Him, nothing is possible..&uot;

Donald McKnight wrote on November 28, 2005 11:09 PM:

&uot;Cortez, I am not familiar with you personally but I know your family very well and my condolences go out to Them and my PRAYERS TO YOU!! Donald Mcknight :mailto:mcknight65@yahoo.com &uot;

Veronica Green wrote on November 28, 2005 8:39 PM:

&uot;Cortez, you will be missed. I’m sure Raphael Green will miss you riding every other Sunday to the park in Alabaster to play Basketball. showing him a few rounds. we love you and we will definitely keep your family in our prayers.. God bless you!&uot;

rachel lambert wrote on November 28, 2005 4:45 PM:

&uot;Cortez was a good friend and less to say i am sad that i was one of the last ones for him to talk to, truthfully i think that his mom deserved that part. many tears have been shead from these eyes and many more will be and i miss him dearly. god bless his parents and know that he is in a better place. &uot;

Debbie Talley wrote on November 28, 2005 4:37 PM:

&uot;Tez you will truly be missed. My condolences goes out to his family and friends. Our hearts are heavy as we think of how you touched our lives. We will always love you and will never forget you. My prayers are will the family.&uot;

Skylar Patterson wrote on November 28, 2005 3:06 PM:

&uot;Though Cortez will be sorely missed FOREVER, we must keep going as Cortez would want us to. Even though he was my cousin, i dont feel sorry for myself, but my sympathy goes out to ALL who have come into contact with him in his lifetime. Cortez, I love u and u will ALWAYS be in my heart! U will always be remembered &uot;Rim Rattler&uot; and nothing will EVER take your place!&uot;

Cynthia Scott wrote on November 28, 2005 1:42 PM:

&uot;Cotez was a nice respectful kid. He never failed to say yes or no sir, yes or no mame. My son(Boone) enjoyed playing AAU basketball with him and was very sad to hear of this tragic death. My prayers are with his family,teachers coaches, schoolmates, and friends in this time of bereavement. Cortez, you will be missed! I am attaching a poem written by me: &uot;CAN’T&uot; Can’t tell you why, Can’t explain God’s desire, Can’t describe his request, Can’t understand when he takes the best, Can’t stop your tears, Can’t figure out, why only a few years, Can’t lessen your pain, Can’t justify your loss for heaven’s gain, Can’t even ask Why? God wouldn’t accept that kind of reply, So, just whisper soft prayers and understand, God has his own Plan. by Cynthia Scott&uot;

Marlee Bizzell wrote on November 28, 2005 1:19 PM:

&uot;I knew Cortez for a brief while and he made an impact on my life. I’ll never forget the moments that I spent with him. He was a wonderful person whom I will dearly miss and my condolences go out to his family and friends.&uot;

Amanda baker wrote on November 28, 2005 12:42 PM:

&uot;He was a good friend i loved him very much it hit me hard 2 here that a good friend is now gone but in my heart Tez will alway b here wit me. I miss homeboi&uot;

Crystal Buchanan wrote on November 28, 2005 9:43 AM:

&uot;Cortez was an all around great person.. I had a lot of respect for him!! He will be truly missed!!