Irene Gurley Melton

COLUMBIA - Irene Melton passed away Sunday, May 2, 2021 at the age of 72 in her home, surrounded by her immediate family. Born in Burnsville, NC, she was a daughter of Cecil Jack Gurley and Alice Burgin Gurley of Lenoir, NC. As a devoted mom and wife, Irene supported her family through moves to Germany, various locations in North Carolina - Cary, Climax, Oxford, Angier, Albemarle, Wingate - and Waycross, GA, before settling in Columbia, SC, in 1988. She loved annual family travels to the coast of South Carolina and international destinations. She was a member of Dutch Fork Baptist Church where she served in the nursery and supported various other ministries.

In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by one brother, Tony Gurley; and three sisters, Lana Braswell, Clara Annas and Cecilia Beane.

Surviving are: her husband of fifty-two years, William L. “Bill” Melton of Columbia, SC; three children, Michele Melton Cauley (Mike) of Pendleton, SC, John Grant Melton of London, England, and Autum Leigh Melton of Charleston, SC; granddaughter, Kathryn Cauley of Pendleton, SC; one brother, Tim Gurley of Lenoir, NC; three sisters, Libby Ross of Morganton, NC, Anita Helton of Lenoir, NC, and Christine Hice of Lenoir, NC; and numerous nieces, nephews, friends, and other family members.

Irene lived a full and happy life. She was kind, generous, a friend to all and selfless in her devotion to her children, beloved granddaughter, and the many children she supported throughout her career as a special needs teaching assistant at Nursery Road Elementary School. In retirement, Irene was an avid reader and volunteered at Lexington Medical Center, Columbia, SC, providing a bright smile and warm reception to those in need. She had the ability to find beauty and contentment in daily activities and never missed an opportunity to celebrate life events with her family and friends. She was passionate about her faith and her fitness - if not in church, you could always find her at the gym. It was not only these passions that benefited her in her later stage of life, but also her positive outlook and unwavering consideration of others.

A celebration of life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, May 5th, 2021 at Dutch Fork Baptist Church, 3517 Dreher Shoals Road, Irmo, SC 29063, with a private family burial to follow. A reception will be held after the service in the church fellowship hall. For those unable to attend the service, it will be live-streamed on the church's Facebook page.

The family will also receive friends from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 4th, 2021, at Dunbar Funeral Home, 7600 Woodrow St., Irmo, SC 29063. Masks required.

The family wishes to thank her family, friends and church congregation for their continued messages of support, Lighthouse Hospice Care and caregivers at Duke Lung Clinic, the Mayo Clinic and Lexington Medical for their assistance. In particular, the family would also like to thank her daughter, Autum Melton, for the constant loving care she provided Irene in the later stages of her illness.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Clemson University Foundation - Irene Melton Memorial Holding Account. Gifts may be made online at iamatiger.clemson.edu/giving (search for Irene Melton), by phone at (864) 656-5896 or by mail: Clemson University, Annual Giving Office, PO Box 1889, Clemson, SC 29633.

Memorials may also be made to Families Helping Families, PO Box 5141, Columbia, SC 29250; or Dutch Fork Church, 3517 Dreher Shoals Road, Irmo, SC 29063.

Memories may be shared at www.dunbarfunerals.com