John Alvin Cotton, along with his twin brother, James, were born on December 4, 1946 in Beggs, Oklahoma, to Willie Mae and James Cotton Sr. At a young age both John and James professed Christ and were baptized at Handy Chapel AME Methodist Church where they sang in the choir and were active members of the church.
John and James graduated from Wheatley High School in Beggs. Later, they served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War where John received a Purple Heart. After completing their tour of duty, they returned home and found jobs as construction workers. John's daughter, Katrina, was born and instantly became the light of his life.
In 1971, John relocated to Detroit Michigan and found employment with Chrysler's McGraw Glass Plant where he retired after 32 years as a glass inspector.
John met his wife, Donna Maxwell at the plant and they married in 1980 while residing in Detroit where he helped raise her three children.
After a long battle with recurring brain tumors, John expired at home on April 25, 2012.
Preceding John in death were his parents, Willie Mae and James Sr. and siblings: Lonelle Cotton (twin of Donelle), Ronald and Donald Cotton (twins), Linda Kaye Wells, Doris Clayton, Adolph Clayton, and Annabel Hamilton.
He leaves to cherish his memory: wife, Donna Cotton; daughter, Katrina Cotton (daughter of Charity Chatman); step-daughters, Tracy Maxwell (Sylvester), Kimberly Moment (Erik) and Lisa Greenwood (David) ;4 step-grandchildren, sisters, Redonna Tharpe (Pleasent), Charlene Watson (John), Ouida Allen, brothers, Donelle Cotton, James Cotton (Janet), a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives and friends.

Services for Mr. John Alvin Cotton will be Saturday May 5, 2012 at 2PM at First Baptist Church South in Beggs. Friends may visit Mr. Cotton on Friday from 1PM-6PM in Okmulgee.