Uncrowned Community Builders

Cozetta Gordon was born in Elwood (rural community) Seminole County. Her parents raised her and two older sisters as well as two nieces. Cozetta's father was a farmer and her mother did domestic work. They were hard workers and a church going family.

Cozetta attended 1st - 8th grade in a one room school house. She rode the bus seven miles to a segregated high school. She graduated in the top of her class and was on the honor roll. She also did domestic work. Cozetta waited 20 years after high school to enter college and earned her Associate's, Batchelor's., Master's Degrees, and a degree in Administration.

Cozetta's special interests include family, church work, community volunteerism, gardening, counseling and tutoring. She is active in her church, school, and Order of Eastern Star. She has held the position as a Head Start Aid, 2nd grade teacher, Math teacher, and an elementary teacher. She retired after 28 years of dedicated work at New Lima Elementary School.

Cozetta has been a member at First Baptist Church in Lima, Oklahoma for 58 years. She has served in various positions during this time. She was a Sunday school teacher for the youth for 24 years and an adult Sunday school teacher for three years. She held the position as Church Clerk for 15 years, Secretary for 10 years, Chair-Deaconess Board, WMU Secretary for 12 years, and WMU Secretary for Southwest Creek Landmark District Association for 10 years.

Mrs. Gordon has been associated with the town of Lima in assisting with the Lima Day Activities. She has assisted in writing grants for the town along with working with Community Sources 2002, which was completed in 2002. The purpose of this grant was to be able to provide a meeting place and a center for community activities. The building and organization is doing well and is well managed. Some of Cozetta's special skills include sewing, tutoring, teaching church classes, planning programs and activities.

Some of the awards and recognitions that Cozetta has received are: Teacher of the Year 1981-1982, Who's Who in American Teachers, Youth Award (Boy and Girl Scouts of America), Order of Eastern Star Service award and plaque, plaque for church service and New Lima Award Plaque.