Ethel Perrin Melton

Ethel Carlene (Perrin) Melton, 84, of Hutto, Texas, passed away peacefully, just after midnight on Sunday, May 5, 2024, at her daughter's home, surrounded by her 3 daughters, son-in-law, and a longtime family friend.

Ethel was born on August 15, 1939 in San Antonio, Texas, at her grandmother's home. In 1946, the family moved to Taylor, Texas, where they lived above the Taylor Auto Electric Shop, that her father and uncle started. She attended 1st through 3rd grade in the Taylor School District. The family then moved to Hutto, Texas, and she graduated from Hutto High School in 1957. Ethel had many jobs in her life. She was known to work at least 2 jobs at a time throughout her life. She was employed by St. David's Hospital on 32nd Street in Austin, and retired from Central Texas Imaging after 27 years of service. One favorite memory the children have growing up is that Ethel reserved the bottom shelf of the refrigerator for the ironing she would take in from clients. She would dampen them with a spray bottle, roll them up and put them on that bottom shelf to cool before ironing them.

In 1957, Ethel married the love of her life, JL Melton, of Hutto, Texas. The marriage produced 4 children, Justin, Gayla, Tammy and Winona. They divorced in 1994. Ethel never re-married.

At the time of her passing, she was a member of House of the Lord Church in Austin, Texas. She was a member of the Praise Team that sang at every service and recorded 4 CD's. Growing up, her family were members of the Hutto Baptist Church, where she accepted Jesus Christ as her Savior. Ethel and 2 of her sisters were baptized by Clyde Majors at 1st Baptist Church of Taylor, because Hutto Baptist didn't have a Baptismal at the time. She was very involved in the church, singing in the choir. She went on 3 missionary trips, 2 to Japan and 1 to Korea. Her passion was singing and serving the Lord.

Her sister, Margaret, got her involved and mentored her in painting. She had many beautiful paintings and was a featured artist in the Hutto Public Library Art Show. One of her paintings won 3rd place in the St. David's Art Show and she even had a commissioned piece for her pastor at the House of the Lord Church.

Ethel is preceded in death by her parents, Joseph Perrin and Mildred English Perrin of Hutto, sisters Letha Cast of Thorndale, Deborah Marx of Thorndale, her son Justin Melton of Junction, and granddaughter Destiny Bankston of Smithville, and many other family members. She is survived by her sisters Margaret Pruess (Clifford) of Taylor, Eileen Melton (Jimmy-deceased) of Hutto, Elma Adams (David) of Georgetown, Wanda Merz (Paul) of Elgin, one brother, Keith Perrin (Carolyn) of Temple, her 3 daughters Gayla Freeman of Willis, Texas, Tammy Savard (Perry) of Hutto, Texas, and Winona Hawkins of Georgetown, Texas, grandchildren Dustin Melton, Jennifer Davis (Tommy), Crystal Melton, Myndi Freeman-Jameson (Stewart), Makayla Garcia (Carlos), Ramon Bankston, Landon Chaney, Heather Alexander, Jordan Alexander (Keyanne), Carly Savard, James Kinsey and Marissa Kinsey, and 15 great-grandchildren.

The family would like to thank AccentCare Hospice for their assistance with mom's comfort and care during the last month of her life.

A visitation for Ethel will be held Friday, May 17, 2024 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., at Cook-Walden/Capital Parks Funeral Home, 14501 North Interstate 35, Pflugerville, Texas 78660. A funeral service will be held Saturday, May 18, 2024 at 10:00 a.m., at Cook-Walden/Capital Parks Funeral Home, 14501 North Interstate 35, Pflugerville, Texas 78660 with a burial to follow at Cook-Walden/Capital Parks Cemetery.

The fellowship and meal will be at Memorial Baptist Church 340 W. Lake Dr. Taylor, Texas 76574.