Combine the sugar, flour, cinnamon, salt & soda in a large bowl & set aside.
In a saucepan, bring butter, cocoa & water to boil, then pour over the flour-sugar mixture.
Stir in egg, buttermilk & vanilla.
Let it set for a few minutes, then bake at 350°F for 20-30 minutes, starting to check at 20 minutes.
For the icing, bring butter, cocoa and milk to boil in a saucepan, remove from heat, add powdered sugar and beat until creamy, then add vanilla and mix.
Ice the cake while it's hot, optionally adding chopped pecans and unsweetened coconut.
