Linda (Lee) Melvin

Linda Lee Melvin, born December 7, 1939 in Sampson County, age 81, passed away at her home in Harrells from ovarian cancer on April 15, 2021.

A Funeral Service will be held outside at Siloam Baptist Church, on Saturday, April 17th at 10:00 am with Rev. Tim Register officiating. No visitation will be held.

Linda was the daughter of the late Furman C. and Ernestine Tart Lee. She graduated Valedictorian of her class at Herring High School in 1957.  After high school, she attended Flora MacDonald College and graduated cum laude in 1960 with a BS degree in Business.  After graduation, she moved to Harrells and taught at Union High School.  She met James Canty Melvin from Harrells, and they married in 1961.  They were married until 1986 when James Canty passed away.  Following her husband’s death, she operated Melvin’s General Merchandise in Harrells.  The store was open until August 2013 when Linda retired and closed the store.  After retirement, she volunteered at Union Elementary School and Sampson Regional Hospital.  Most recently, she worked part-time at Ingold Irrigation. 

Linda was an active member of Siloam Baptist Church where she was the Sunday School pianist, choir member, and Vacation Bible School volunteer. Her favorite activities included walking, line dancing, playing the piano, shopping with her daughters, reading, and participating as a member of The Garden Club of Clinton, NC and Lunch Bunch of Clinton, NC. She will always be remembered as an energetic lady.  She was thoughtful, kind, and cherished the times laughing with her family and friends.

She is survived by her three children: daughter, Jeneal Melvin Leone and husband Jim of Raleigh; daughter Katherine Melvin Powell of Harrells, and son John Canty Melvin of Harrells; sister, Brenda Lee of Raleigh; brothers: Cortez Lee and wife, Allyson of Erwin, and Tart Lee and wife, Sue of Clinton. She was blessed with four grandsons:  Jonathan Powell, Grant Powell, Gray Canty Melvin of Harrells and Jacob Leone of Raleigh.  She was “Granny Linda” to Johnson Carr, Barbara Grace Carr, Curtis Carr, Anna Carr Leonard, and Suzi Peak Sholar. She will be greatly missed by her family and friends.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her sister:  Lillian Rose Bruce.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Siloam Baptist Church 2926 Tomahawk Highway Harrells NC 28444 or Duke Ovarian Cancer Fund 2005 Thorpshire Drive Raleigh, NC 27615 or online at ovariancancerwalk.org or 3HC (Hospice) 2402 Wayne Memorial Drive Goldsboro, NC 27534.

Royal-Hall is honored to serve the Melvin family.

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