Crawford Cline Melton

Crawford Cline Melton, 99, of Glen Alpine, died on May 31, 2026 at Amorem Hudson. Born at the family home in Glen Alpine on August 11, 1926, he was the son of the late John Blaine Melton and Greta Summie Stamey Melton. He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy where he served at Pearl Harbor in the fleet radio unit decoding Japanese radio messages. A life-long member of Glen Alpine United Methodist Church, he served as a trustee, treasurer, lay leader, lay delegate to annual conference, pastor parish relations committee member and chancel choir member.

He was the mayor of Glen Alpine from 1957 to 1966. A strong advocate of education, he replaced his father on the Glen Alpine City School Board in 1966. He continued serving when the board was consolidated into the Burke County School Board until 1974. He was a graduate of Glen Alpine High School and Pfeiffer College. He retired from Henredon Furniture as Regional Credit Manager after having been employed there for 35 ½ years. His hobbies included extensive travelling in the U.S. and abroad. He was an avid reader and enjoyed daily lap swimming until just years before his death; and daily exercise in the gym until only weeks before his death.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers: James Thomas (JT) and Jack, and his sisters: Frances Speas, Mary Falls, Mattie Jamison, and Libby Bennett. He was also preceded in death by his first wife and mother of his four sons, Anna Lee Simpson Melton and his second wife, Estelene Dale Melton.

He is survived by his four sons, The Rev. Dr. David Melton of Lenoir, Dr. Barry Melton (Erika), of Milford, CT, Craig Melton (Marc Castell) of Maiden, and Phillip Melton (Kevin Mann) of Charlotte; and his step-daughter, Valerie Clarke Kuentzel (Walter) of Nebo. He also leaves seven grandchildren: Elizabeth Melton LeJeune (Andrew), Christopher Melton, Mary Katherine Melton, Jonah Melton, Anna Lee Melton, Ben Kuentzel and Elizabeth Kuentzel (Joe Helton); two great granddaughters: Lianna Melton and Sofie LeJeune; and many nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at Glen Alpine United Methodist Church at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, August 9, with the Reverend K. Wesley Judy and the Reverend Dr. David S. Melton presiding. The family will receive friends an hour before the service.

Memorials may be made to Glen Alpine UMC, 410 Linville St., Glen Alpine, NC 28628.

Sossoman Funeral Home and Crematory Center is assisting the family with the arrangements.