MELTON EARL UNDERHILL SR.
April 23, 1939-May 14, 2013
Melton Earl Underhill Sr., 74, died Tuesday, May 14, 2013, in his home surrounded by his family after a courageous seven-year battle with cancer.
Melton was born in Wayne County, April 23, 1939, to the late Fred and Kathleen Vanderford Underhill.
Funeral services will be held at 7 p.m. Friday, May 17, 2013, in the chapel of Seymour Funeral Home, with the Rev. Barry House officiating. Interment will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 18, 2013, at Wayne Memorial Park.
The family will receive friends Friday, May 17, 2013, from 6 to 7 p.m. and immediately following the service at Seymour Funeral Home.
Melton had a love for his church, his family and friends and working with his hands.
As a young man and until retirement, he worked as a roofer and tinsmith, and enjoyed using his talents to assist friends and family with a variety of projects, and at times offering his words of wisdom or a sympathetic ear.
Melton died with the same strong faith in the Lord that he exemplified in the way he lived his life. His courage will live on in the family and friends that he leaves behind.
He was a devoted member of Liberty Pentecostal Holiness Church, and his Christian witness provided an example for anyone with whom he came into contact.
Melton is survived by his wife of 20 years, Mrs. Patricia Williamson Underhill; two sons, Melton Earl Underhill Jr. (Beth Vinson) and Tommy Eugene Underhill (Brandy Underhill) of Goldsboro; a daughter, Mrs. Susie Underhill Wood (Anthony) of Swansboro; two stepdaughters, Terri Nicely Jamison and Catherine Nicely Thorne of Vanceboro; and a stepson, Charles David Nicely of Columbia, S.C.
He is also survived by a brother, Durwood Linwood Underhill (Ann Miller Underhill) of Goldsboro.
Melton loved his family, and was blessed with three grandchildren, Stephanie Underhill Rose, Chelsea Waters Mull (Grayson) and Justin Kent Waters (Casey), and six great-grandchildren, Nicholas Rose, Allisa Rose, Hunter Lee Bailey, Jayden Kent Waters, Summer Renee Waters and Peyton Gray Mull.
He is also survived by five stepgrandchildren, Erin Jamieson Day, Alysha Maitland Norbury, Emily Jamieson Shelton, Steve Emerson and Chris Emerson; a stepgreat-grandchild, Audrey Estelle Day; as well as several nieces and nephews all of whom he called "his young'uns."
Melton truly believed that his family was much bigger than those related to him by birth, and he considered those he called friends as part of his extended family.
Melton was preceded in death by his father and mother; two sisters, Frances Underhill Grant and Julia Underhill Coker; and his brother, Albert Jasper Underhill.
We would like to give a very special thank you to Community Home Care and its team for the love and care they provided for Melton during his final days. Simple words cannot express our gratitude.
In lieu of flowers, it was Melton's wish that the roof at Liberty Church be replaced. Donations may be sent to Liberty Pentecostal Church, c/o Rev. Barry House Sr., 206 Country Day Road, Goldsboro, N.C., 27530.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.seymourfuneralhome.com.
(Pd)
Published in Obituaries on May 15, 2013 1:49 PM