Mellon Kathleen Pinkston

Mellon Kathleen Pinkston, 92, of Taylorsville NC, passed away at home on November 7, 2023. She was born on July 11, 1931, in North Wilkesboro, North Carolina and was the beloved daughter of Ford and Stella Wood, both of Wilkes County. Mellon was united in marriage with her devoted husband, Daniel (Benny) Pinkston of Dickerson, Tennessee, who predeceased her.

Mellon's formative years were spent in Wilkes County, where she proudly graduated from high school in 1950. She moved with her family to Michigan where she worked at Hudson’s Department store, and where she meet and married Benny. Throughout their life together, they called various places home, including Butler, Pennsylvania, Columbus, Ohio, Knoxville, Tennessee, and Maiden, North Carolina. She retired from Catawba Memorial Hospital in 2006, after 26 years of service in the Dietary Department.

Mellon was an accomplished craftsperson, particularly skilled in needlework, and her creations are treasured by many. She had a deep affinity for travel and nature, and enjoyed many camping trips with Benny, including a cross country RV trip to Alaska. Over her lifetime, Mellon had several loyal canine companions, Frosty, Lassie, and Babe, who brought her boundless joy and love.

Her greatest gifts were her unending kindness, empathy for all, and devotion to family. She was loved as a “second mother” by many, including her two younger sisters and her nieces and nephews. She is survived by her loving sister, Carolyn Lackey, and her dear sister, Peggy Jordan, along with brother-in-law Larry Jordan. Mellon was cherished by her nieces and nephews, including Lisa Simutami, Alison Romano, Joseph Lackey, Robert Wood, Jenny Kuritar, Gary Blevins, and Rita Eckhout. Her older brother, Jones Wood, predeceased her.

Mellon Kathleen Pinkston will be remembered for her accepting, loving nature, her faith, her love of all things beautiful, and her dedication to family. Her memory will live on in the hearts of those who knew and loved her.

A Memorial Service will be held at 6pm on Saturday November 11, 2023 at Drum Funeral Home in Hickory. The family will receive one hour prior to the service.

In lieu of flowers the family request memorials to Carolina Caring and the American Lung Association.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.drumfh-hickory.com for the Pinkston family.

Drum Funeral Home is honored to be assisting the Pinkston family.