Professional Profile

Viva Jackson Cotton is a native Houstonian born July 23, 1956 to Dorothy and the late Harold Jackson, Sr. She is the third of eight children, four sisters and three brothers.

Viva is a proud scholar of the Houston Independent School District where she attended Blackshear Elementary, Cullen Junior High, and Ross Shaw Sterling High School. Her collegiate years were spent at San Jacinto College, Houston Community College, and College of Biblical Studies where she received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Christian Studies & Leadership. She continued her educational endeavors by graduating with a Master’s Degree in Education Administration from Prairie View A & M University.

Viva confessed Christ as her personal savior at the age of 12 and was baptized at Holman Street Baptist Church by the late Reverend S. A. Douglas. She attributes her spiritual growth in the Lord to the men and women of God at Holman Street where she has beena member 38 years under leadership of Shepherd-Teacher Dr. Manson B Johnson. Since, January, 2013, Viva serves in ministry at Turning Point Faith Ministries under the leadership Dr. Cassandra Scott. She serves in numerous ministries: Minister of TPFM; Director of Ministers; Facilitator of Discipleship 101; Teacher of Generation U-Turn, Intercessory Prayer Team; Teacher of The Colonnades Senior Facility andThe Naomi Hilliard Scholarship & Education Ministry. Also, she serves as Administrator to Pastor Cassandra Scott, and Turning Point Faith Ministries. My most recent WOW achievement- BYB-Birth Your Brilliance!!!

Viva married her high school sweetheart, Reginald L. Cotton. They were married for thirty-eight years, until his death April 9, 2012. She is a proud mother of two sons: Stefan Le’Roi and Reginald Jerome. She isalso-“Nana”, to three active grandchildren: Dontrell (15), Lauren (11), and Kelsey (10).

Viva is employed with Fort Bend ISD (19 years) and previously with the Alief ISD (3 years). Her journey in education began as a Substitute Teacher, Para-Educator, and Teacher; she currently serves as Behavior Support Specialist.Other work experience is comprised of various professions which include a Realtor, Medical Health Insurance Manager, and Certified Driver Education Instructor/ Owner. Viva found and own Masters Driving Academy.

Viva desires to be a blessing to the body of Christ, and others, be the woman, wife, mother, daughter, sister, cousin, and friend that God called her to be. Loving the Lord with all her heart, and holding steadfast to Romans 8:28, Jeremiah 29:11, Psalms 1, Psalms 23, and I Corinthians 15:57-58.* But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved daughter, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.