Thomas "Red" Melton was born February 27, 1959 in Norfolk, Virginia to Elder Larry Melton, Sr. and Ruby Melton-Moore. Thomas was the third of six children born in this union.

In his youth, he attended the Garden of Prayer COGIC in Norfolk, Virginia under the pastorship of Bishop L.E. Willis, Sr. until moving to Anchorage, Arkansas in 1969, where he attended Friendly COGIC under the pastorship of Bishop C.D. Williams.

Thomas attended Sunday School faithfully, and sang in the Junior Choir.

Thomas was a people person with a heart of gold and everyone who met him, loved him. He positively touched and ministered to the lives of all that he met. He fed those that he knew were hungry, gave to those in need. He had a heart and love people. If you were in need you could call on "Red".

Thomas' strong desire was to some day help the homeless, destitute and those on drugs. May his desire and dream be carried out by others.

He is survived by his wife, Nadia Melton; his mother: Ruby Moore and step-father: James Moore of Cary, NC; his sister: Pastor Donna M. Melton of Cary, NC; brothers: Larry Melton, Jr. of Sacramento, CA, Elder Wayne Melton of Ruleville, MS, Maurice Melton of Las Vegas, NV, Lloyd Melton of Cary, NC; sister: Norvella Melton of Texas; sons: D. Maceo Melton and Tyree Gonzalez of Anchorage, Alaska; daughter: Tamora Melton and those who considered him as dad, his nieces: LaRhonda Wynne of Suffolk, VA, Kenisha Tunley, Ruby Tunley, Ewona Harris of Garner, NC and nephew: Larry Tunley; five grandchildren; a host of nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-newphews, other relatives and friends, aunts and uncles.

The visitation will be Thursday, August 31, 2006 at Smith Temple F.W.B. Church Raleigh, NC from 12:30 – 1:00 pm. The funeral services will be Thursday August 31, 2006 @ 1:00 pm at Smith Temple F.W. B. Church Raleigh, NC. Burial will follow the funeral services at Mt. Hope Cemetery, Raleigh, NC. Arrangements by LEA & POPE FUNERAL HOME, Enfield NC 252-445-0011 / 919-231-1170