Robert Cooper “Bobby” Melton, Jr., 87, husband of Elsie Stukes Melton, died Saturday, March 14, 2020, at McLeod Health Clarendon.
Born April 6, 1932, in Charleston, he was a son of the late Robert Cooper Melton, Sr. and the late Virginia McKnight Melton. He was retired from the National Guard after 40 years of service. While in the National Guard, he was a member of the SC Rifle Team. He was a retired surveyor with the SC Department of Transportation and a member of Bethlehem United Methodist Church.
He is survived by his wife of Manning; four children, Libby Way of Manning, Robbie Melton (Nancy) of Sardinia, Kathy Jackson (Bobby) and Jennifer Whitesides (Jeffrey), both of Lexington; two stepchildren, Michael Walker (Cynthia) of Hemingway and Sonya Walker of Florence; a brother, William Copeland “Billy” Melton of Sardinia; thirteen grandchildren; and sixteen great grandchildren.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, James Walter Melton.
A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, March 18, 2020, in the chapel of Stephens Funeral Home with the Rev. John Watts officiating. Burial will follow in Bethlehem United Methodist Church Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Robert Cooper Melton IV, John Robert Jackson, James Ryan Way, James Chandler Whitesides, Michael David Way and Jeffrey Warren Whitesides.
Visitation will be one hour prior to the service from 1 to 2 p.m. at Stephens Funeral Home and other times at the home of Wilburn Ridgeway, 1133 Abernathy Street, Manning.
Memorials may be made to Bethlehem United Methodist Church, c/o Gayle Boykin, 1119 Newman Circle, Summerton, SC 29148.
Stephens Funeral Home & Crematory, 304 N. Church Street, Manning, is in charge of arrangements, (803) 435-2179. www.stephensfuneralhome.org
