Curtis LeGrant Cottingham

Curtis LeGrant Cottingham (60) Curtis LeGrant Cottingham was born in Ferndale, Michigan to the late Lee Shelby Cottingham, Sr. and Edna Mae Cottingham. He was the youngest son of 13 children born to this union. Five siblings preceded him in death, three brothers (Roger, Leslie, and Michael), and two sisters (Fannie and Mary). Curtis was educated in the Ferndale School System, and graduated from Ferndale High School in 1981, where he played varsity football. In 1985, Curtis enlisted in the United States Marines, serving eight years, and was honorably discharged, receiving the Rifle Expert Badge, Pistol Sharpshooter Badge, Southwest Asia Service Medal, and National Defense Service Medal as some of his decorations. He was happy to serve his country as a U.S. Marine, and remained in Virginia, as his last duty station was Quantico, Virginia. After leaving the military, Curtis worked for 28 years for the United States Postal Service, first as a rural courier, until he was transferred to the mail handler position, working at the Merrifield Post Office passionately, and meticulously. On July 27, 2014, Curtis married April Charese Blake-Cottingham (Blake). April was the single mother of two sons (Jalen Kristopher and Zion Marques). Curtis not only loved April but fully loved her sons as his own, and a blended family was formed. Curtis did not consider Jalen and Zion to be his stepsons, he said on more than one occasion that, “Those are my sons”. In 2019, Curtis and April became proud grandparents to one granddaughter (Mila Emerie). Curtis was a kind, considerate, humble, hardworking man. He had his quiet moments, but Curtis was truly a clown at heart that loved making family and friends laugh and have a good time. He loved spending time with his family, whether it was traveling and spending a weekend away, or staying at home binge watching movies or TV shows. He was an avid baseball fan as well and was fully committed to all Detroit sports teams (Lions, Tigers, and Red Wings). And being a Michigander, he loved The University of Michigan football team. In fact, it was a hard time in the household when University of Michigan played Ohio State, as Zion is a long-time fan of Ohio State (so imagine the in-house rivalry that went on!). Curtis was diagnosed with thorax angiosarcoma on March 31, 2023. A rare form of cancer, doctors warned that the prognosis was not promising, but Curtis held on to his faith in God and knew that even if God decided that it was his time, that he was ready to be in the arms of Jesus, although he would miss his family. At 9:24 pm on Tuesday, August 1, 2023, Curtis took his last breath and peacefully made his transition. Curtis leaves to cherish his memories: his loving wife of nine years, April C. Blake-Cottingham; two sons, Jalen Young and Zion Blake; one granddaughter, Mila Emerie Young; four sisters, Ellen Durr, Delores Cottingham, Lottie Boose, and Shelby Crawford (Lawrence); three brothers, Rance Cottingham Sr. (Ingrid), Eddie Cottingham, and Lee Cottingham Jr. (Tonya); a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and many, many friends. Relatives and friends may attend the funeral at Jefferson Funeral Chapel, 5755 Castlewellan Drive, Alexandria, VA 22315, on Saturday, August 12, 2023 at 11:00 am. Please view and sign the family guestbook at www.jeffersonfuneralchapel.com.

Tributes

Curtis LeGrant Cottingham

May 12, 1963 - August 1, 2023