Velocity Credit Union has established a trust fund for Mel Cotton's 5-year-old son.

"He's part of our family too. We really care about him. He's going to have a tough time for a while," bank manager Lesley Bradstreet said.

Cotton spent four years as a teller at Velocity.

Her coworkers and friends are keeping her spirit alive with a wreath that stands tall near the entrance and purple ribbons donned by each employee.

Authorities believe Cotton, 30, may have been killed because she tried to help a friend leave the woman's former boyfriend.

Police said the suspect stabbed Cotton to death and left her son for dead.

He survived and is now with family members.

Velocity employees said Cotton was a morale booster at the credit union and was always there for anyone needing help and support.

"I've had bad days myself and she has asked me to come home so she can cook me dinner. That's the kind of person she is. And I've had troubles in my own love life and she's given me guidance, so yeah, I would've expected that from Mel," employee LaTricia Bradshaw said.

"Any holiday, any special day she always just shared. She would do things that most folks just didn't do. She was just an extraordinary person and she's missed already," employee Lula Collins said.

Velocity has chipped in $1,000 to start off the memorial fund for her son.

Send donations to the Mel Cotton Memorial Fund to any of Velocity Credit Unions' three locations at 900 Round Rock Avenue in Round Rock, One Texas Center at 505 Barton Springs Road or 610 East 11th Street.