Helen Allene Bryant Melton

Helen Allene Bryant Melton, 65, of Calhoun, died Tuesday morning, March 16, 2010, at Athens Regional Medical Center.

A native and lifelong resident of McMinn County, she was a daughter of the late Reed and Ersa Lou Duckett Bryant, and was preceded in death by two brothers, Bud and Paul Bryant. She was a member of Covenant Baptist Church and was a former employee of Walmart in Athens and Candlewick Yarns. She also had owned and operated Melton Welding and Fabrication with her husband.

Survivors include her husband of 48 1/2 years, Gene Melton of Calhoun; one daughter and son-in-law, Lora and Michael Henry of Old Fort; two sons and daughters-in-law, Mark and Evelyn Melton of Riceville, and Herold and Laura Melton of Delano; one cousin, Jim Williams of Calhoun; five grandchildren, Ashley, Lakota and Nathaniel Melton and Ersa and Drew Henry; three sisters and brothers-in-law, Margaret and Jim Hicks of Calhoun, Linda and Claude Womac of Riceville, and Joan and Jerry Jones of Athens; one sister-in-law, Roberta Ferguson of Decatur; two aunts, Violet Dillard of Maryville, and Ruth Axley of Athens; one brother-in-law and his spouse, Paul and Judy Watts of Ringgold, Ga.; one sister-in-law, Bertha Flood of Chatsworth, Ga.; and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be 7:30 p.m. Thursday in the chapel of Ziegler Funeral Home with Pastor Randy Boggess officiating. Entombment will be 11 a.m. Friday in the Sunset Memorial Gardens Mausoleum.

Pallbearers will be Mark Melton, Michael Henry, Mike Gant, Bobby Mullins, Larry Mullins and Bo Henry.

The family will receive friends from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.

If you are unable to attend the visitation or service, sign the guest registry at www.zieglerfuneralhome.com

Ziegler Funeral Home of Athens is in charge of arrangements.