Kathleen Marie Melton, 95, of Gainesville, passed into the arms of her Loving Saviour, a place she had always yearned for, on the morning of June 10, 2020, surrounded by her loving family.
Services will be held on Friday, June 12th at 11:00 A.M. at Crossroads Baptist Church in Gainesville with Pastor Randy Taylor officiating. There is no formal visitation, but the church will be open at 9:00 A.M. for viewing before the service for family and friends to come and pay their respects.
Kathleen was known as “Memaw” to all that knew her, and to all that she loved.
Kathleen was born on May 23, 1925, in Maxey, Texas, to Alfred and Mabel Brown, on a hardscrabble farm, where she worked picking corn, cotton, milking cows and hoeing weeds. This family became the cornerstone of one the most devout and largest Christian families in Northeast Texas.
Kathleen married Billy Melton in June of 1943, in Maxey, Texas, and with this union 4 children were born. Kathleen and her husband scratched out a living on a farm in Tigertown, Texas for several years, before moving to Gainesville to work at a new manufacturing plant named National Supply. The hard years on the farm were over for them in Northeast Texas, and Gainesville had become their new home.
It was during these prosperous years of the 60’s and 70’s and raising her children that Kathleen delivered prescriptions for Watts Pharmacy, and also began a clothing store business named “The Fair Store” in which she worked in tirelessly until its closing in the mid 1970’s, many times giving away clothes for free to families that were on hard times. In 1964 Kathleen and her husband Billy were charter members in what is now known as Crossroads Baptist Church, to fulfill a desire to serve their Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, whom both had accepted early in life.
It was through this new church that Kathleen and Billy witnessed to and counseled countless numbers of young Christians, through example and teaching, also providing finances to keep the struggling church alive in the early and lean years.
Kathleen often told stories of her early childhood of riding in wagons to church, attending Church services out in the wide open, living on very little means, making their own clothes, raising their own food, but through it all always trusting the Lord. It was during this period that a work ethic was created that was used in being a servant of the Lord. She often felt that it was the only talent that she possessed so she was going to be the greatest servant she could be. Countless numbers of people in Gainesville have gained a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ due to Kathleen being the Lord’s Servant.
She was proceeded in death by her Husband Billy in 1986, a Brother Aud Brown, 2 sisters, Margaret Lassiter, and Mildred Julian, 2 grandchildren, Lisa Murray and Rhonda Murray.
She is survived by daughters Nancy Murray (Ronnie), Patsy Parker (Leon), Peggy Nash (Jackie), and Sherry Sicking (Tim), 8 grandchildren and numerous great and great-great grandchildren and one sister Christine Crutchfield of Paris, Texas.
Pallbearers are grandson’s Bill Payeur, Tony Nash, Brad Payeur, Tim Nash, Ryan Sicking & Casey Martin.
The family would like to thank everyone for all their prayers and support. In lieu of flowers people can donate to the Crossroads Baptist Church building fund in Kathleen’s memory.
So sorry for your loss. I know they’re having a great reunion in Heaven right now. Praying for you all.
Bubba & Cindy Willis
What a beautiful woman. More importantly, what a beautiful soul! My heart breaks for the family because I know she was a vital and essential leader for you, but I know that HER heart is soaring right now because it is where it belongs.
Kathleen was the kindest and sweetest neighbor we ever had for over 2 decades. The world really will miss such a kind and compassionate soul.
Loved this Lady so much. She always begged me to come back home to our church again. So I did. You will be so missed but I know you love where you are now.Till we see you again. God Bless.
Mrs.Melton was the sweetest and kindest lady .Heaven got the sweetest angel Wednesday.Prayers for the family.
With deepest sympathy from the Jackson family.
Mama dearest, I will miss you so much, but thankful your in God’s arms. Love you dearly.
Your mom was a sweet lady and a wonderful Christian example.
She will be missed! I will not be able to make it to the service, but your family is in my prayers.
She was an amazing lady ! Thoughts and prayers for the family and friends !
I will always remember Ms. Melton and her husband. I was a little brat when they had the Fair store. Her and my mom prayed for me a lot of years. She was always so kind to everyone. Her love and kindness can be seen in her daughters. Sherry I am so sorry. Wont be long till we all meet again. God bless you all.
I am so sorry to hear of your mother’s death. She was a true lady and treated everyone with respect and love. She will be missed.
Mrs Melton was a precious sweet, funny lady! She had a great sense of humor. I always loved talking to her! She will be missed by her family and friends. Our love and prayers of sympathy go out to all her family! Love y’all!❤️????????
I’m so sorry for the family’s loss! She was such a sweet lady.
She was a kind, sweet, warm soul who loved everyone and everyone loved her. She will be dearly missed.
My mother and i are heartbroken at the loss of this beautiful lady , Thelma M. Adams ( my mom) spoke of her often and is so saddened at the passing of her sweet friend, Sending our sincerest condolences? .
Sherry and family,
You are the sweetest lady and after reading your sweet little mama’s obituary I know why you are so sweet, loving and caring! May she rest in peace and God comfort you always and hold you in the palm of His hand. Love you Friend!
Mrs. Melton was a very special lady in my life as she was in many others.
At Church,She never failed to greet you , give you a hug,and a word of encouragement !
Love and miss you Mrs. Melton/ Memaw!❤️
Sherry,
I want to be saddened by the passing of Memaw, but I just can’t because of the promise of heaven. She was truly an angel on earth and now she’s walking with them. I pray for the Comforter to wrap his arms around you and your family at this time. Heaven just got a little sweeter! Love you!
Praying for comfort. With deepest sympathy.
Love yall
Tori smith Debord
So sorry for your loss a great women will be missed
So sorry for your loss. We know she will be greatly missed.
Heather my good friend,and the rest of the family is in my prayers we lost a beautiful soul, but GOD has gained a beautiful angel ?
So sorry to hear of your mother s passing. I always thought she was one of the sweetest ladies I had ever met. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
So sorry for your loss! She was a special woman & will be missed by many!
Rejoicing with you that your mom is in the presence of the Lord!! I bet my parents and your parents are having a great reunion. Praise the Lord.
This sweet lady was very instrumental in my life for she planted the seed that grew into a love of Jesus. And being baptized as a born again Christian. She will always be in my heart.
My love to all the family.
Vicki Jones
SHERRY,
I JUST READ ABOUT THE LOSS OF YOUR MOTHER & WANTED TO EXPRESS MY CONDOLENCES. PRAYING FOR YOU. GOD BLESS YOU & YOUR FAMILY.