Inez Melton

Kershaw, SC

The epitome of the Proverbs 31 woman, Inez Usher Melton, entered into the presence of Jesus Christ surrounded by her devoted family on Wednesday, September 6, 2017. Funeral Services will be 3:00 PM Saturday, September 9, 2017, from the chapel of Miller-Rivers-Caulder Funeral Home by Dr. Frankie J. Melton, Jr. and Rev. Michael Parnell with burial to follow in the Antioch Baptist Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 7:00 – 9:00 PM Friday, September 8, 2017, at Miller-Rivers-Caulder Funeral Home.

Born to share cropping parents in Pageland, SC, on September 1, 1930, her Aunt Ruth came to the house and thought she was going to “see something” and all she saw was “a little ole girl.” Her grandfather told her mother he would give her a silver dollar, if she would name her Inez, “with nothing added to it.” So, she never had a middle name. The name Inez is from the Spanish name, Agnes, which means “pure.” She was adored by her family, and for them, “a mighty oak has fallen.” She often said, “God has been good to me,” a testimony of her 87 years filled with hard work and productivity.

Inez loved spending time with her family, working with flowers, cooking, adding to her 500 salt and pepper shaker collection, and sewing. She sewed all of her children’s clothes and especially the girls' dresses. She worked at Cannon Mills in Kannapolis, NC, and Springs Industries in Lancaster, SC, for 40 years, but her greatest work was 7 children, 17 grandchildren, 41 great grandchildren, 4 great-great grandchildren, and 2 great grandchildren and 1 great-great grandchild that are all on the way.

At the age of 6, she was standing by her mother’s bed when she died. Growing up without a mother, she developed a tenacious and feisty spirit which she displayed until the very end. She became a follower of Christ at the age of 12 during a revival meeting at Union Hill Baptist Church in Pageland and was baptized into the membership of the church. On January 14, 1951, she married Joe C. Melton, a godly and humble man. She was not a public speaker or a singer, but her work for the Lord was her love for cooking. Few Sundays passed without her feeding the preacher along with her entire extended family. In some of her last words, she discussed her plans to cook for the preacher this coming Sunday.

In addition to her parents, Inez was also preceded in death by her husband, Joe C. Melton; son, Gary Melton; 2 brothers; and 1 sister.

Survivors include her son, Frankie J. (Pat) Melton of Kershaw, SC; 5 daughters, Frances (Don Ostrander) Edwards of Jefferson, SC, Shirley Sanders of Lancaster, SC, Gail (John Henry) Eason of Mt. Croghan, SC, Kathy (Frankie) Laney, and Lisa (Dennis) Terry both of Jefferson, SC; sister, Louise Phillips of Kershaw, SC.

Memorials may be made to the Building Fund of Antioch Baptist Church, c/o Gail Eason, 18 Campbell Road, Jefferson, SC, 29718.

Miller-Rivers-Caulder Funeral Home (www.mrcfuneralhome.com) of Chesterfield, SC is serving the Melton family.