REV. DR. GERALD MELTON

REV. DR. GERALD MELTON, 78, of Cowpens, went home to be with his Lord Wednesday, July 7, 2010.He was born in Gaffney, SC to the late Floyd and Eugenia Melton. He graduated from Cowpens High School and then served in the U. S. Air Force during the Korean Conflict. He later attended and graduated from Baylor University and Southwestern Theological Seminary with his Doctorate in Ministry. He pastored for many years at Norhill Baptist Church in Houston, TX. In addition, Rev. Melton pastored in Asheville, NC for 8 years. After Miss Bertha Smith's death, a missionary to China, he retired to Cowpens to be the director and teacher of Peniel Prayer Center. Due to health concerns, he then became a bi-vocational pastor in several area churches. He was a current member of Oakdale Baptist Church in Cowpens.He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Patsy Price Melton; three daughters, Rebekah and Robert Kyle of Naperville, IL, Paula and Victor Little of Monroe, NC, and Tammy Ruth Melton of Cowpens; four grandchildren Dr. Kristy Kyle, Robert Gerald and Marka Kyle, Adam and Jennifer Little, Amber and Reid Austin; a sister, Evelyn Warren and husband Charles; and a brother, Truman Melton and wife Rosemary.Visitation will be 1:30 PM to 3:15 PM Sunday, July 11, 2010 at First Baptist Church of Cowpens. Funeral services will follow at 3:30 PM at the Church, with his brother-in-law, the Rev. T. Wayne Price officiating along with the Rev. Dennis D. Spencer.In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Bible Broadcasting Network,P. O. Box 7300, Charlotte, NC 28241; or to Interim Hospice, 775 Spartan Boulevard, Suite 101, Spartanburg, SC 29301.An online guestbook is available at www. floydmortuary.com.Floyd's North Church StreetChapel, Spartanburg, SC