Mary R. Melton

A beautiful life ended on April 1, 2018 when the hand of God reached down and lovingly took the hand of our dearly beloved mother (Mary Rebecca Burrell Melton).  Her last toil with sickness was only brief, 9 days, and she was still full of life and jokes. “Momma” was born on November 22, 1936 to the late Avery Vernon and Pearl Burrell of Hobson, VA. She attended school in the Nansemond School system. At an early age, she accepted Jesus Christ as her personal Savior and joined Macedonia Baptist Church. She later met and married Alphonsia Melton who predeceased her. She continued her Christian work at Morning Star Baptist Church.  At Morning Star, she served on the Senior Usher Board, Advisor to the Youth Ushers, and as the Hospitality Director. “Momma” was an excellent cook and had culinary skills and her food had a special taste that only she could make. She was a former member of Silver Leaf Temple # 330 and St. Mary Temple #152 where she served until she needed to spend more time on health promotion for her own survival. She leaves the following to cherish her memories, three children, daughter, Syleslie Melton Ricks (Larry), foster children, Cynthia Burrell Banks (Vernal) and Gordon Lorenzo Burrell (Elaine); 8 grandchildren, and 13 great-grandchildren. She has a host of devoted nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, and neighbors. Her beloved siblings are Avery Burrell (Jean), William Burrell (Sider), James Burrell (Maria), and Lucinda Burrell Jones (Alphonso). Momma provided childcare to many children in the community. A celebration of life will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, April 7, 2018 at Chapel Grove U.C.C. 7366 Blackwater Road, Windsor, VA. She will be laid to rest in Tyler Family Cemetery. Professional services with dignity have been entrusted to Crocker Funeral Home, Inc. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Mary R. Melton, please visit our flower store.