Greenbrier Remembers Mayor Melton Cotton: A Life of Service, Spirit, and Community

The City of Greenbrier is coming together to honor the life and legacy of former Mayor Melton Cotton—a man whose heart, hard work, and humility helped shape the city we call home.

Born and rooted in Greenbrier, Melton Cotton built more than a life here—he helped build the town itself. In 1961, he married Shirley Davis, and together they raised their son, Jimmy, while building businesses and bonds throughout the community.

Cotton was a true entrepreneur with an unmistakable spirit. He got his start laying tile and carpet, but soon he and Shirley were running a local grocery store, on the corner of Highway 65 and East Main. At Cotton’s Grocery, Cotton insisted on full service—even in the era of self-serve. He’d pump your gas, check your oil, and send you inside for one of Shirley’s famous ham sandwiches and a warm honey bun. That’s just the kind of neighbor he was.

In the mid-80s, Melton built a pizza restaurant on the very spot where the Wagon Wheel stands today. He also ran Greenbrier Culverts and Tires for Less, where he sold everything from tires to golf carts. Melton didn’t just do business in Greenbrier—he invested in its growth, its charm, and its people.

His commitment to the city took on a new form in 1987 when he stepped in as Mayor just four months after a resignation. He served Greenbrier with quiet strength and unwavering dedication for the next 27 years. During his time in office, Melton continued his work as a residential contractor, helping to literally build the town he was leading. In 1996, the community honored him as the Greenbrier Citizen of the Year—a testament to the respect and love he earned from those around him.

Melton’s vision for the city was bold and heartfelt. One of his dreams was to see an event center where the community could gather and celebrate. In 2005, that dream became reality and then in 2015 shortly after Mayor Cotton's retirement, the facility was renamed in his honor: The Melton Cotton City Event Center—a lasting tribute to a man who always put Greenbrier first. When planning for the center, he knew he would need to find the perfect person to step in and run the facility, and hired former director Shellie O’Quinn. Shellie shares, “He wasn’t your typical politician. He never sought the spotlight or praise. He simply wanted what was best for Greenbrier. He believed in me, and that gave me the confidence to do my job the best I could.” As a city, we are proud that his name lives on at the Melton Cotton City Event Center.

He also served for 27 years as a director on the board of First Service Bank in Greenbrier, staying committed to community service until the very end.

Those who worked with him remember not only a great leader but a kind and light-hearted soul. City Services Office Manager, Amber Wallace, recalls, “I loved working for Mayor Cotton. He was a wonderful boss who took a chance on hiring me with little to no prior experience but he knew I could do it. He trusted us, to do our jobs. He had a serious side, but he also had a sense of humor. On a trip to Colorado, he and Ms. Shirley brought back a wooden mallet and jokingly called it the ‘attitude adjuster’—perfect for dealing with any unruly citizens. That mallet still sits on top of our filing cabinets today.”

As we reflect on the life of former Mayor Cotton, we pay tribute not only to a mayor but also to a neighbor, mentor, and friend to countless individuals. His legacy endures throughout Greenbrier—in the structures he helped build, the businesses he managed, the lives he influenced, and the spirit he inspired.

Flags will be half-staff at city facilities in his honor on Thursday as we pause to remember former Mayor Cotton. The city sends its condolences to his wife, Clara, his son Jimmy (Angela) and a his family and friends.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Thursday, May 8th at Faith Baptist Church located at 84 East Main Street, Greenbrier, Arkansas. Visitation will start at 10 AM with funeral services following at 11 AM. David Heffington and David Goff are officiating. Interment will follow the services at Siloam Cemetery: 6 North Siloam Cove, Enola, Arkansas.

You can find his full obituary here.