May Melton

Born in Athens, Georgia on March 9, 1923, Mrs. Melton was the only daughter of Middleton Barnett Wingfield and Lura May Kenimer Wingfield. She graduated from Athens High School where she was a valedictory speaker and from the University of Georgia. She was the first female editor of the Red & Black student newspaper at the University of Georgia in 1944 and a member of Phi Mu sorority. Married in a military ceremony at Fort Riley, Kansas on June 30, 1943, Mrs. Melton worked on the Sacramento Union newspaper in California and was society and feature writer for the Griffin Daily News. Living in Griffin for 70 years, Mrs. Melton was president of the Griffin Utility Club, W.S.C.S and J.O.Y. Sunday School class of the First United Methodist and the first president of the Dogwood Garden Club. Mrs. Melton enjoyed reading, playing bridge and gardening, especially working with roses.

She is survived by four children: Dr. Oliver Quimby Melton III and his wife Louisa of Griffin, Mary Melton Forehand and her husband James of Stone Mountain, Laura Melton Geiger and her husband Walter of Barnesville and Leila Melton Stone and her husband Charles Edward of Forsyth. Seven grandchildren survive: Dr. Oliver Quimby Melton IV and his wife Samantha, Isaac Lucius Melton and his wife Shelly of Griffin, Marianne Forehand DeVito and her husband Steven, Robert Edward Stone, Carol Elizabeth Forehand, May Melton Geiger and Olivia Lanier Geiger. Three great-grandsons, Isaac Melton, Asher Melton and Silas Melton of Griffin survive. Two brothers, Middleton Barnett Wingfield Jr. and his wife Frances of Memphis, Tennessee and William Terrell Wingfield and his wife Joy of Athens, Georgia also survive.

A memorial service for Mrs. Melton, who was an organ donor, will be held Sunday, Sept. 7, 2014 at 3 p.m. at First United Methodist Church, Griffin. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church.

Memorials can be made to the First United Methodist Church, 1401 Maple Drive, Griffin, Ga. 30224.

Haisten McCullough Funeral Home, 1155 Everee Inn Rd. is in charge of arrangements.