On April 17th, 2018 Cotton Fire Department lost not only a dedicated Board Member but most importantly a FRIEND. Mr. Gary Dove has always been an active and well involved member of our Board of Directors. After Mr. Dove became ill a few years back, he would still make every attempt to be here for meetings, special events or any other function he felt that he should attend. Mr. Dove would occasionally stop by and just hang around the Firehouse during the day to pass the time even when he wasn’t feeling up to par. Anytime he would come through the door he always had a smile on his face and made it a point to speak to everyone here. Mr. Dove would always jokingly give the guys a hard time about not working hard. Everyone would stop and sit a while just to have a conversation with him. Mr. Dove was one of those you just have to talk to. Anytime there was an item that needed purchased, Mr. Dove always supported it. He believed in the Department and our personnel having the best equipment to do the job. For that we say Thank You. On behalf of the men and women of Cotton Fire Department we want to thank you for your endless time and dedication to “The Land of Cotton”.
Please keep the Dove family in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.

Arrangements are noted below:

The visitation will be Friday April 20th, 2018 from 5 until 7 PM at Pinecrest Funeral Home.

A service will take place at 7 PM immediately following the visitation.

In December of 1964 Chief Owen Harris joined the Cotton Fire Department. He has selflessly given his life to Cotton Fire Department after leaving the Navy. Through the years he has done more for the department than anyone could ever list and we are proud to call him the 2017 Fire Officer of the year. When the time came to vote it was unanimous among all that it would be him. Most of us here think of him more than just our chief, he has become a father/grandfather figure to just about all of us and you will not find a more respected chief in Cumberland county.

Waymond Hudson started the fire service after many years of wanting to but not knowing how. After he became good friends with a captain he found out what he would have to do to join! The rest is history, Waymon has exceeded in the fire service running through classes and certifications like butter. He has found a true love for the service. Anytime the tones drop you can count on Waymon to show up and we at Cotton Fire Department are proud to call him our brother. Although he doesn’t do it for the plaque we are honored to name him Firefighter of the year for 2017!