Donald Melton

Donald Melton, 81, of Center, Tx passed away on December 23, 2021. He was born on April 7, 1940, in Basile, Louisiana, to the late Luster and Tommie (Huff) Melton.  Funeral service will be held at 3:00 pm on Friday, December 31, 2021, at Corinth Baptist Church in Timpson, Texas officiated by Bro. Kevin Clinton, Bro. Carroll Jones, Bro. Leroy Smith, Bro. Mike Fodge, Bro. JC Lewis, and Bro. Levi Cohorst.

Visitation will be held at 1:00 pm till 3:00 pm prior to the service on Friday, December 31, 2021, at Corinth Baptist Church in Timpson, Texas.

Donald grew up in Needville and Galena Park while his dad was working for United Gas. They moved to Henderson after his dad surrendered to the ministry and enrolled in TBI.  He met Louise it is believed at Lone Cedar as a child when her dad, Doyle Harrison, was a pastor there, but they officially met in Midland when they were introduced by his seminary classmate, Amiel Smith who was dating and would later marry Louise’s sister, Sarah. He married the love of his life, Mary Louise Harrison Melton, on May 18, 1960, and they were married 50 years before her passing.   Donald worked at Brookeshire Bros. at Carthage, San Augustine, Newton, and Timpson two different times 35 years apart, he later retired from there. The Lord delayed his transfer with Brookeshire Bros. from San Augustine to Newton just long enough for him to have the privilege to lead an atheist to the Lord.  Donald had been witnessing to him but that morning the atheist wanted to drive out in front of a truck and take his life because his wife was taking all he had.  He realized that he wasn’t ready to die and came to Donald to find out why he was always so happy.  He told him and the man left and came back to tell Donald he knew then why he was always so happy.  He also worked for a time at Pace Pharmacy in Newton and H&S Grocery in Center. Donald had a love for football, basketball, and baseball and was a devoted fan of the Cardinals, Rockets, Oilers, and LSU. He was a pitcher and was going to try out for the Houston Buffaloes, an affiliate of the Cardinals but surrendered to the ministry instead.  He was a lover of music also with his favorite artists including Jim Reeves, Ricky Van Shelton, Billy Joe Royal, Fats Domino and Buddy Holly.  He enjoyed family time and playing dominoes, especially 42 as this is a family tradition.  Donald graduated from Texas Baptist Institute in Henderson in 1962 with a Master of English Bible Degree.  He spent many years preaching the Word of God.  He was an ABA Missionary Baptist preacher.  His pastorates include New Prospect, Deadwood in 1961, New Shady Grove, Deadwood from 1962-1963, Hubbard Missionary Baptist from 1964-1965, Linden Missionary Baptist from 1965-1966, Monticello, Mt. Pleasant from 1967-1968, Bethel, New Waverly from 1968-1969, Trout Creek, Kirbyville from 1970-1975, Emmanuel, Greenville from 1975-1976, Enterprise, Gary from 1977-1978, Brown Chapel, San Augustine from 1979-1982, Union, Newton from 1982-1986, Hawthorne, San Augustine from 1986-1989, Old Salem, Center from 1990-1996, Line Creek, Ida, La. From 1996-1997, Landmark, Lufkin from 1998-2001, and New Columbia, Timpson from 2002-2006.  He was a longtime supporter of the Louisiana Missionary Baptist Institute and Seminary.

Serving as pallbearers are: Jonathan Melton, Andrew Rushing, Jason Farmer, Gabe Parks, Hughie Halstead, Joseph Jones, Andrew Smith and Kevin Rushing.  Honorary pallbearers are: Men of the Rushing family, Men of Providence Missionary Baptist Church, Men of Timpson Missionary Baptist Church, MBA of Texas Preachers, ABA Preachers, Preachers of Shelby County Association, Preachers of LMBIS, Faculty of TBI, and Tim Tate.

Donald is survived by his son, Jonathan Melton and grandson, Andrew Rushing.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Mary Louise Harrison Melton; parents, Luster and Tommie Melton; daughter, Donna Louise Melton Rushing; and brother, Hiram Melton.