Ralph Lonnie Melton Sr.

Published 12:01 am Tuesday, November 14, 2017

Oct. 1, 1937 – Nov. 12, 2017

NATCHEZ — Services for Ralph Lonnie Melton Sr., 80, of Natchez, who died Sunday, Nov. 12, 2017, at Merit Health Natchez, will be 1 p.m. today at Laird Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Dan Wynn officiating.

Burial will follow at Greenlawn Memorial Park Cemetery under the direction of Laird Funeral Home.

Visitation will be 11 a.m. until service time today at the funeral home.

Mr. Melton was born Oct. 1, 1937, in Centerville, the son of Ralph Benjamin Melton and Myrtle Simpson Melton.

He was a former member of Morgantown Baptist Church and was a current member of the First Baptist Church of Natchez.  Mr. Melton was a Mason, a Shriner and a veteran of the U. S. Army. He was an avid hunter and fisherman. He loved spending time with his family and grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents and one daughter, Debra Irene Melton.

Survivors include his wife of 57 years, Sue Melton; two sons, Lonnie Melton and wife, Shannon, of Vidalia, and Steve Melton of Natchez; six grandchildren, Kaitlin Melton, Peyton Melton, Cole Melton, Nick Melton, Jay Sims and Lily Sims; one brother, Donnie Melton and wife, Alma; two sisters, Karen Parnham and husband, Gary, and Alena Stampley; and a number of nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers will be Cole Melton, Peyton Melton, Nick Melton, Joe Murray, Gary Thornton and Charles Devening.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Shriners Children’s Hospital or St. Jude Children’s Hospital.

Special thanks to Deaconess Hospice and their staff, Shannon Marrow, Veronica Edmunds, Jackie and Shelia.

Online condolence may be sent to lairdfh.com.