The funeral for King Haliburton (Hal) Melton, 89, of Roxboro, N.C., who died Saturday, Nov. 26, 2005 at his home, was conducted at 2 p.m., Monday, Nov. 28, in Olive Branch Baptist Church by the Rev. Victor Blackwell. Burial was in the church cemetery. Mr. Melton was a native and lifelong resident of Person County. He was a retired farmer and former employee of Collins & Aikman Corp. He was a member of Olive Branch Baptist Church. Surviving are his wife of 67 years, Bular Gentry Melton; five children, Dorene M. Robertson and husband, Jimmy, Jerry W. Melton and wife, Marie, Janice M. Whitfield and husband, Otis, Katie M. Rogers and husband, Jim, and Jimmy R. Melton and wife, Janet; seven grandchildren; and 10 great grandchildren. Memorials may be made to Home, Health, & Hospice of Person County, 355A S. Madison Blvd. Roxboro, NC 27573.
(Thank you Ray for this picture)
This page is dedicated to the loving memory of Granddaddy and in honor of Grandmama
If Tomorrow starts without me...
If tomorrow starts without me, And I'm not there to see, If the sun should rise and find your eyes all filled with tears for me; I wish so much you wouldn't cry the way you did today, While thinking of the many things, we didn't get to say. I know how much you love me, As much as I love you, And each time that you think of me, I know you'll miss me too;
But when tomorrow starts without me, Please try to understand, That an Angel came and called my name, And took me by the hand, And said my place was ready, in Heaven far above, And that I'd have to leave behind; All those I dearly love. But as I turned to walk away, A tear fell from my eye, For all my life, I'd always thought, I didn't want to die.
I had so much to live for, So much left yet to do; It seemed almost impossible, That I was leaving you. I thought of all the yesterdays, The good ones and the bad, I thought of all the love we shared, And all the fun we had. If I could relive yesterday, Just even for a while, I'd say good-bye and kiss you, And maybe see you smile.
But then I fully realized, That this could never be, For emptiness and memories, Would take the place of me. And when I thought of worldly things, I might miss some tomorrow, I thought of you, And when I did, My heart was filled with sorrow.
But when I walked through Heaven's gates, I felt so much at home. When God looked down and smiled at me, From His great golden throne. He said, "This is eternity, and all I've promised you. Today your life on earth is past, But here life starts anew. I promise no tomorrow, But today will always last, And since each day's the same way, There's no longing for the past. You have been so faithful, So trusting and so true. Though there were times you did some things, You knew you shouldn't do. But you have been forgiven, And now at last you're free. So won't you come and take My hand, and share My life with Me?"
So when tomorrow starts without me, Don't think we're far apart. For every time you think of me, I'm right here in your heart.
Words from Ray I went and eat lunch everyday with granddaddy. When the clock hit 12 he'd holler and ask grandma was we ready to eat. He said if I came in at 12:05 that I’m late for dinner. He believed in eating at 12 sharp. I usually went over there at 11 so we could watch the Price Is Right. He’d always love Fridays at dinner time because he knew that Chip and I was coming to eat dinner with him.
He'd always ask me what was I doing everyday and I'd say nothing, then he'd say do it pay anything? I wish now that I could talk plain so granddaddy could understand me because I missed out on a lot by not talking plain but one day we'll have a long conversation.
I think some of my fondest childhood memories are of staying with my grandparents during the summer. My cousin Kaye and I spent many hours in the backyard in our swimming pool. It was really an old washtub but we thought we had the best life had to offer. Then there's the day Kaye and I gave the back porch a paint job. How were we to know we were painting with kerosene? It looked like paint to us. I remember the two couches in the living room. If Kaye and I misbehaved, I got sent to one and she was sent to the other. We'd sit and stick our tongues out at one another and giggle until we'd forget what we'd done wrong and Grandmama would let us up. I remember summers there getting up taters and gathering eggs. I remember spending the night, Granddaddy worked all day on the farm then work 2nd shift at C&A. He'd come home, sit down with a coca-cola and a moonpie and watch the news. Then it'd be bed time. I think my most favorite memory is of the day I thought I had eaten a WHOLE loaf of bread. I still laugh at that notion. We'd been to K-Mart in South Boston and they had bought me a sub sammich. I ate on it all the way from South Boston to Triple Springs. Grandmama reminds me of how I turned to her and said..."I can't believe I ate a WHOLE loaf of bread!" Throughout my childhood all holidays were spent at their house including the Melton-Gentry reunion that's still held every year at Easter. There's so many other memories. I'd like to take a moment to thank Granddaddy and Grandmama for the best childhood a little girl could have. I love you both, Lisa
In memory of Daddy on his 92nd birthday...Katie Lee Still Missing You Author Unknow
They say there is a reason They say that time will heal But neither time nor reason Will change the way we feel.
For no one knows the heartache that lies behind our smiles, No one knows how many times we have broken down and cried.
We want to tell you something so there won't be any doubt, You're so wonderful to think of but so hard to be without. We cannot bring the old days back, when we were all together The family chain is broken now, but memories live forever.
We thought of you with love today, But this is nothing new, We thought of you yesterday and the days before that too. We think of you in silence and often speak you name. All we have now are our memories, and your picture in a frame. It broke our hearts to lose you, But you didn't go alone. A part of us went with you The day God took you home.
(Thanks Momma for this picture)
Granddaddy & Grandmama Melton, and Baby Dorene
In Memory of Daddy by Dorene
09.02.1916 - 11.26.2005
How well I do remember the special times we had
The times and seasons of my life with a very special Dad.
How well I do remember the day God called you home
You slipped into His loving arms, and I felt so alone.
Now my heart will carry memories of the love you gave to me
Until we meet again in Heaven, where the best is yet to be.
If there's anyone else in the family who's seeing this site that would like to add memories of Granddaddy and Grandmama to it, email me and I'll add them.
Easter is always a special time for the Melton/Gentry family. A reunion is held at Hal and Bular's home.
EASTER 2009 PHOTOS
Easter Memories written 2009 Dee says:
There are too many favorite memories to select just one. You and your family have been a very important part of my life, all my life. I treasure the memory of the times from handing tobacco, visits you made visiting Leroy and I in the orphanage and especially our tet together at Easter. You and Hal are very special and I love you dearly.
Jim says:
I have always loved you and Hal as much as I loved my mother and father. I am really impressed with all your family members. Thanks for having us over the last 32 years (at Easter) 1977-2009. My whole family loves you! I miss Hal more than you will ever know! He knew it, as I told him so.
Vickie says:
Have always enjoyed coming every year for Easter. I feel like I am as just as much family as anyone else. You are a very special lady. Hope to continue to spend many more wonderful years with you. Thanks you much for letting me be a part of your life.
Dorothy says:
I have always loved Uncle Hal and Aunt Bular. Both are special people from my childhood until now. I look forward to coming here at Easter time and seeing the rest of the family. All of this family (Aunt Bular's) are very special to me. My children look forward to hunting Easter eggs as children. Uncle Tin always enjoyed hiding the eggs and helping them find them. We are blessed to have a loving family to meet at this time of year. May God continue to bless us all. I thank God for these memories we have of our family. Praise the Lord! He arose!
Susan Allen says:
As a child I loved to come to Uncle Hal and Aunt Bular's house. There were so many people that came then. As a child we always had to wait for the adults to eat first. Now as a grandparent I have to fix the grandchildren's plates first. When did it change? I am still at the back of the line...hahaha! I always loved to hear Uncle Hal pray, he talked to God better than anyone I have every heard. I remember always looking at Aunt Bular's salt and pepper shakers and all the pretty things she made, each year I wondered what she would make for us. When I think of Easter this place always comes to mind. You can always feel the love here no matter where you were in your life as a child, as a teen, and as an adult.
Elsie says:
Aunt Bular and Uncle Hal, my daddy's sister and my mama's brother. I have always been close to you and your children, my double first cousins. We grew up together and all of you have a very special place in my heart. I can't even imagine Easter without Aunt Bular. Some of my best childhood memories are coming to your house every Easter to eat and then hunting Easter eggs in the buttercups, grass and trees. Thank you Aunt Bular for many Happy Easters and for all the hand towels, pot holders and all of the other little things you have given us through the years. You have a loving, giving heart. God Bless You.
Jerry says:
You are the greatest mother in the world. Thank you for all you have ever done for me and others. You are the most giving person I have ever known. All who have ever met you have been blessed. Thank God for the 90 years He has given you and the years we have had with you. May God bless you always. Easter has always been a special time for the family. Hopefully we will have many more.
Lisa says:
I feel double even triple blessed to be a part of this reunion because Hal and Bular are my grandparents and I've spent lots of holidays and other occasions here. I remember Granddaddy working 2nd shift and when I'd spend the night he'd come home, have a little coca-cola and a moonpie. He'd watch the news then he'd say "Time for Bed." I remember Grandmama trying so hard to teach me to crochet. I never got a hold of it but I spent many hours watching her enjoy it. I remember egg hunts and Uncle Tin's bubble gum pile.
Unknown Author says:
I guess I'm getting old. I remember Easters back to my Granddaddy. The love he had for all people including grandkids. Uncle Tin always reminded me of him in his caring of people. Easter egg hunts were so much fun with the whole garden area including the orchard filled with children, adults and the excitement of finding all the pretty eggs. Later picture taking of each family. In fact I got laughed at for saying one year, "Why don't we take a picture of the cousins?" Answer was, "We can't all get in the picture." I did get us though. All the good cooks over the years. Aunt Nellie's fried apple pies. We all have our special things. Aunt Bular's turnip salad today with deviled eggs. A wonderful time to talk and remember so many things. People that not with us anymore but not forgotten. Love to all until next year.
Christmas 2009 - Video compliments of Ray
Music Playing: Grandpa Tell Me About the Good Ole Days by The Judds
bravenet.com