Howard Pritchard Melton age 90, of Sylva, passed to his heavenly home on Tuesday, Aug. 14, 2018. He was a life-long resident of Jackson County. He was born March 23, 1928 to the late Claude and Beulah Hoxit Melton. Howard was married 62 years to his late wife, Violet Buchanan Melton. In addition to his wife, and parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Kelly and Wayne; two sisters, Louise Buchanan and Wanda Tallent; and one great granddaughter, Sydney.
Howard began his working career at Blackwood Lumber Company and later worked as a Winderman at Mead Corporation where he retired in 1974. He later worked at Hennessee Lumber Company. He was a faithful member of Calvary Baptist Church. Howard loved gospel music and loved his church. He also loved his family and enjoyed spending time with them. He loved to work in the garden, to watch the humming birds, and to sit on the porch and smoke his pipe.
Surviving are Howard and Violet’s two children, Ronnie (Doris) Melton and Suzanne (Keith) Allison of Sylva; six grandchildren; seven great grandchildren; and one great great grandson.
The funeral service will be held at 2pm on Friday, Aug. 17 at the Western Carolina Funeral and Cremation Service. Grandsons Michael, Calvin, Jeremy, Jacob, Nathan, Lucas, and Jackson will serve as Pallbearers with Rev. Justin Hall, Rev. Avery Brown, and Rev. Eddie Stillwell officiating. Burial will follow in the Old Savannah Baptist Church Cemetery.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Thursday, Aug. 16 from 6 – 8pm.
Western Carolina Funeral & Cremation Service has been entrusted with serving the family. Online condolences may be left by visiting www.westerncarolinafunerals.com