Reverend Walter Melton was born in Plantersville, Alabama, the first child of fourteen, born to Woodie and Jennie Dobynes Melton on March 29. 1930.  He confessed Christ at an early age and joined his family’s church, Poplar Grove Missionary Baptist Church.  He served there for many years, as member, Sunday School Teacher, Deacon, Assistant Pastor and Pastored there for 36 years until his health failed.

He married the lovely Gracie Mae Worford Melton on December 2, 1953; they enjoyed 58 years of married life.

Walter and Gracie grew up together in the Poplar Grove Community and have known each other all of their lives.

He has been a life long resident of Perry County and was educated in the Perry County School System, graduating from Lincoln School.  He continued his education at Selma University and Livingston University.

He served in the United States Army for a tour of duty and received an honorable discharge in 1952 as a Veteran of the Korean Conflict Era.  The next step for him was to go into business with his father to farm, and then they added Pulpwood Contracting.  Later his brother Daniel joined the business to form Melton Brothers Pulpwood Contractors, which he operated for many successful years before retiring.

He answered the call to the Ministry in 1972 and had the honor to serve as Pastor to several churches over the course of almost forty years.  His Churches were Poplar Grove Baptist Church, Sprott (36 years); Mt. Olive Baptist Church, Marion (27 years);  New Hope Baptist Church, Sprott (years); Springhill Baptist Church, Stanton (25 years); White Lily Baptist Church, Braggs;  and Perryville Baptist Church, Suttle(8 years).  He also was active in the East Perry Missionary Baptist Church District in several positions for many years.  He was also active in the Bibb County District for many years.  He was very involved in the New Cahaba Missionary Baptist Church District where he was honored to serve as Moderator from 1997 through 2009.  In the New Cahaba District he Pastored Mt. Olive Baptist Church and New Hope Baptist Church.  He was very involved for many years 18 in the Southwest Missionary Baptist Church District.  He was part of the Selma-Dallas and Surrounding Counties Ministerial Conference of which he served as president for several years.

Rev. Melton was involved in community improvement in various ways including serving on the Perry County Board of Education for twelve years as an elected official.

He was involved in the development of and was an active member of the East Perry Volunteer Fire Department.  Having a life long love of farming, he was involved with the start of and participated in the Marion Farmer’s Market and worked with the Extension Program through Auburn University on the growth of some of the more hardy hybrid plants that could survive in colder weather.

His siblings that preceded him in death are Daniel Melton (Mary), Roberta Perry Heard (Eddie*) and Azzie Lee England(Earnest).

Rev. Melton leaves to cherish his memory a loving and devoted wife Gracie M. Melton, two daughters, Sonya C. Melton (Helena, AL), Veretta Maxine Melton-Williams and one son Rev. Irvin Williams (Helena, AL); two granddaughters Anastasia Williams and Shardia Williams-Jones (James); two great grandsons Zion and James; His Sisters all live in Perry County except where indicated:  Nettie Ramsey (Elam/Detroit,MI), Isabella King (Howard*), Maggie England (M. A.*), Rev. Velma England (Jeremiah), Jeanette Melton, Rev. Daisy Dobynes (John/Montgomery,AL); His brothers are Thomas Melton (Helen*/Marion,AL), Rev. Woodie Melton (Ora Dee/Birmingham,AL), Rev. Carlos Melton (Glorette/Sprott,AL), and Sim Melton (Alice/Valley Grande,AL). He leaves also one uncle Preston Dobynes (Chicago, IL), and two Aunts, Willie Barker (Chicago, IL) and Minnie West (Chicago, IL). In addition are also a host of nieces, nephews and many relatives, friends and associates who will cherish his memory.

The Homegoing Celebration was held on Monday, November 28, 2011 at The Marion Baptist Academy. And he was interned at The Alabama National Cemetery, Veterans Administration National Cemetery 3133 Highway 119, Montevallo, AL.  Final arrangements were entrusted to Lee & Rollins Funeral Home, Marion AL.