BERNITA MELTON

OLIVE BRANCH, Ill. -- Bernita L. Garrett Melton, 80, of Olive Branch died Tuesday, Feb. 8, 2000, at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau.

She was born May 31, 1919, at Pulaski, daughter of Charles W. and Ola M. Dillie Lackey. Melton's first husband, Douglas Ward Garrett, died Aug. 30, 1963. Her second husband, Harold L. "Slats" Melton, died May 7, 1991.

She was a member of the First United Methodist Church at Mounds, a 50-year member of the Order of Eastern Star (Queen of Egypt Chapter 509). She retired from the United States Selective Service Systems in 1973.

Survivors include two stepsons, Ray Melton of McLeansboro and Jimmy Melton of Olive Branch; five stepdaughters, Susie Graves of Olney, Nancy Britt of Ferguson, Mo., Sondra Heisner of Normal, Linda Spaulding of Villa Ridge and Sheri Morgan of Festus, Mo.; a sister, Margie Pierceall of Orange, Calif.; 17 stepgrandchildren; and several stepgreat-grandchildren.

She was also preceded in death by three brothers and a sister.

Friends may call from 10 a.m. until service time Thursday at Jones Funeral Home at Tamms.

Funeral will be at noon Thursday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Jerry Herring officiating. Burial will be in Rose Hill Cemetery at Pulaski.