Janice Melton, age 74, went home to be with the Lord and is now with the love of her life.
Janice was born and raised in Lakeland, FL. She married LeRoy Melton, Jr. in 1960 and spent the next 55 years loving him, moving all over the world with the USAF and raising four precious daughters.
After his retirement in 1979 they made their home in the Florida Panhandle. She cherished her church family at Gulf Breeze church of Christ and looked forward to being with them as often as possible. After dad's death last year she moved to live with her daughter in Brandon, FL and dearly missed all her friends.
Mom's whole life was dedicated to God, family and church. She was a peacemaker, a rock in the storms of life for her husband and her girls. She loved completely and gave everything of herself. The running joke between her daughters was "C'mon Mom, admit itI am your favorite!" Her common reply was, "Now, you know, I love all my girls." But we knew she loved each of us best.each of us in our own special way.
Our mom was the kindest person we ever knew. She was sweet even in the most difficult situations, she always looked for the rainbow after a storm and a pony after every "messy" situation. She always saw the best in us and believed in us even when we didn't believe in ourselves.
Mom was our spiritual adviser ("remember whose you are"), clothing and makeup adviser ("you aren't leaving the house looking like that!"), patient confidant ("the Bible says it will pass"), relationship expert ("if you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all"), loudest cheerleader ("I know you can do this"), and life expert ("when life throws you lemons, make lemonade".)
Mom survived ovarian cancer and breast cancer, twice, but sadly was taken from us due to a stroke on Monday, November 7, 2016 surrounded by loving family and friends.
Janice is preceded in death by her husband, LeRoy Melton Jr, infant son, LeRoy Melton III, parents Melvin and Ella Boyett, siblings George (Buddy) Boyett, Tommy Boyett and Barbara (Boyett) Pyle.
Survivors include her four daughters: Kim (John) Stacy of Dallas, GA, Wendy (Jim) Christensen of Brandon, FL, Shawn Smith of Navarre, FL and Mandy (Steve) Kersey of Parrish, FL, 13 grandchildren, 8 great grandchildren, sisters Hilda Sandh, Mikey (Hugh) Turbeville, Beverly (Melton Taylor, Kay (Melton) Losson and Lisa Melton as well as numerous family and friends.
A memorial service will be held at 10 am, Saturday, Nov. 12, 2016 at the Bay Area church of Christ, 11414 Giddings St, Mango, FL 33550. Please join us at the reception immediately following to share hugs and precious memories. In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent in her memory to the American Cancer Society.