SWANSBORO  -  Bennie Lee Melton, 88, of Swansboro, passed away on Thursday, February 27, 2025.

Memorial visitation will be Thursday, March 6, 2025 from 6:00 pm to 8:00 PM at Jones Funeral Home, Swansboro Chapel. The family will have a private burial at a later date.

Mr. Melton was born in Hubert, North Carolina on July 11, 1936 to the late Ernest and Ethel Melton.  He was a veteran of the United States Army having served honorably from October 1954 to October 1956.  He was a 40 year member of the Masonic Seaside Lodge 429, where he served as Master Mason from January 1990 to January 1991.  In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by his wife of 58 years, Joyce Melton; and two sisters, Norma Jean Melton and Sarah Jane Lewis.

Survivors include his son Bennie L. Melton, II and his wife, Debra of Jacksonville; daughter, Candi Melton Meadows and her husband, Greg of Hubert; two sisters, Ann Curtis of Springfield Illinois, and Elizabeth Riggs and her husband, Bruce of Newport; brother, John Lee Melton and his wife, Becky of Hubert; five grandchildren, Amber Melton, Lauren Melton, Joshua Meadows (Landon), Brooke Meadows and Hannah Melton; three great-grandsons, Isaac, Noah and Colt.