Obituaries

Rev. Joe T. Melton, of Lincolnton, NC passed away on November 26, 2017.  Joe, Pastor Emeritus of First United Methodist Church, was born in Bostic, North Carolina, on June 28, 1916, three years before the current First United Methodist Church building was completed.  A graduate of Brevard and Wofford Colleges, he received a degree in Theology from Emory University in 1942.

His funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, November 29, 2017 at First United Methodist Church, 201 E. Main Street, Lincolnton, NC, with Rev. Tony Matthews officiating.  His body will lie in state for 30 minutes prior to the service at the church.  Burial will follow in Hollybrook Cemetery.  The family will receive friends from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 28, 2017 at Warlick Funeral Home.

One of six children, Rev. Melton was the son of the late Joseph and Mammie Melton.  In addition to his parents and siblings, he was preceded in death by his beloved wife of fifty-seven years, Consie Stallings Melton, who died in 2007.
 
Rev. Melton is survived by his children, Joseph Thurman Melton of Charlotte; and Mary Lee Campbell, and husband Walter of Durham and grandson, Elijah Campbell of Norfolk, VA.

Joe’s first appointment as a pastor was to a circuit of churches in Avery County, NC.  During his 42 years as a Methodist minister, he served a number of churches in western North Carolina.

When he retired to Lincolnton in 1984, Joe was asked to serve for three months as Minister of Visitation at First United Methodist Church.  He accepted the invitation and served in the position for eight years, visiting mainly in the home of older church members.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to The First United Methodist Church, 201 E. Main Street, Lincolnton, NC 28092.