Milford Ray Cotton, 82, of Mechanicsville, MD, formerly of Clinton, MD, died April 8, 2011 at the Charlotte Hall Veterans Home. Born October 25, 1928 in Craven, North Carolina, he was the son of William Curtis Cotton and Rosa Mae Jenkins Cotton.

Mr. Cotton served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He later worked as a carpenter and was a member of Carpenters Union Local 132. Mr. Cotton was an avid hunter, fisher and boatman.

Mr. Cotton was predeceased by his parents and brother, William D. Cotton.

He is survived by his wife, Vivian Virginia Hiner Cotton; daughter, Lorri Rae (Michael) Riess and son, William Curtis (Beverly Kay) Cotton; brother, James C. Cotton: sisters, Bettie Bartholomew and Sarah Ates and 3 grandchildren, Brandon, Kristin and Kayla.

Mr. Cotton's Life Celebration will be on Wednesday, April 13, 2011 at the Brinsfield-Echols Funeral Home, P.A., 30195 Three Notch Road, Charlotte Hall, MD 20622, from 5 to 8PM and where his funeral service will be on Thursday, April 14th at 9AM. A committal service with military honors will follow at 11AM at Cheltenham Veterans Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, 1850 York Road, Suite D, Timonium, MD 21093.

Arrangements provided by Brinsfield-Echols Funeral Home, P.A.