Evelyn Bell Melton

Evelyn Bell Melton of Austin went to be with her Heavenly Father on April 24, 2015 at the age of 88. Evelyn was born on May 9, 1926 in Delano, Tennessee to Fred and Ella Bell. She grew up in Delano with a large family whom she loved dearly. She was baptized in the Hiwassee River at a young age and was a lifelong member of the Delano Baptist Church. Although Evelyn resided in numerous places during her life, she always said that Delano, Tennessee was her true home. Evelyn wed USAF Master Sergeant Joseph L. Melton, Jr. in 1957, and the couple raised four children together. Evelyn loved her husband and children wholeheartedly, and she cherished her role as an Air Force wife and homemaker. With four children and a husband who was often away, it would have been easy to complain in times of difficulty. However, Evelyn always had a positive attitude and worked relentlessly to provide her children with love, support, and a comfortable home. Each of her children will always cherish their wonderful childhood memories of their mother. Evelyn was an excellent cook and took great pleasure in preparing her family and friends their favorite meals. Evelyn also enjoyed gardening, crossword puzzles and square dancing. She was very skilled in sewing, and loved making clothes for her children, square dancing dresses for herself, and matching ties for her husband. Evelyn was truly a Christian wife and mother. She was a genuinely kind and caring person who consistently put the needs of others before her own, and she always thankful and content with what she had. She always remembered and acknowledged birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, and all other important events in her family member's lives. Evelyn had a wonderful way of making everyone that she loved feel special and valued beyond measure. She will be dearly missed, but her family finds peace in knowing that she has been reunited with her beloved husband, Joe, in Heaven. Evelyn was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Joseph L. Melton, Jr. (1993); infant daughter, Mary Ella Melton; siblings Roy Bell, Carl Bell, Guy Bell, Bud Bell, and Maydene Raymer. She is survived by her children, Tony Melton (Gayla) of Mayflower, Jeff Melton (Christa) of Sherwood, Pam Bowman (Kevin) of Robertsdale, Alabama, and Patty Priddy of Austin; grandchildren, Joseph Melton of Mayflower, Brandon Demarest (Cassandra) of Foley, Alabama, Kyle Melton of Little Rock, Jacob Melton (Dana) of Mayflower, Loren Lucas (Michael) of Robertsdale, Alabama, Jeff Hicks (Brittney) of Austin and Christopher Priddy of Austin; great- grandchildren, Marley and Tucker Demarest of Foley, Alabama and Lily and Ava Melton of Mayflower; sisters, Irene Hembree of Delano, Tennessee and Marie Moates (Don) of Knoxville, Tennessee; and many much-loved nieces and nephews. Evelyn's family would also like to give a special thanks to Gayle Golden and Barbara Jones of Seniors Serving Seniors. A private graveside service will be held at Griffin Leggett Rest Hills in Sherwood. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations are to be made to St. Jude Children's Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee. Please leave the family your condolences by visiting Evelyn's online guestbook at www.griffinleggettresthills.com.