COLUMBUS — Shannon Denise Cotton Williams, 44, died Jan. 8, 2026, at St. Frances Hospital-Memphis, Tennessee. 

Funeral services will be at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, at Piney Grove M.B. Church, with J.C. Cotton officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Visitation will be from 2-6 p.m. Friday, at Carter’s Funeral Services. Carter’s Funeral Services of Columbus is in charge of arrangements. 

Mrs. Williams was born August 29, 1981, in Columbus, to Roy Pate and Lizzie Cotton Sykes. She was a 1999 graduate of Columbus High School and was formerly employed at Donut Factory and 3rd Avenue Kiddie Korner. 

She was preceded in death by her step-father, Major Williams.

In addition to her parents, she is survived by her husband, Trenn Williams of Columbus; step-children, Tamia Williams and Trenn Williams Jr., both of Columbus; sister, Stephanie Cotton-Henley of Columbus; brothers, Justin Cotton and James Roland Jr. both of Columbus; and two step-grandchildren. 

Pallbearers will be Antonio Hayes, Rico Cox, Donald Pope, Kawasaki Mixon, Steven Billups and Roger Cotton.