Mr. Joseph Bernard Melton, the son of Ms. Edith Melton was born January 20, 1967 in Chambers County, AL. He departed this life on Friday, May 11, 2012 at Lanier Memorial Hospital in Valley, Alabama.

Bernard as he was called by many, attended Valley Haven School in Valley, AL until his health failed.

Maternal grandparents George and Annie Melton, his aunt Catherine Melton Strong and his uncle Otis Melton preceded him in death.

He lives to cherish his memories a loving and devoted mother, Edith Melton, Lanett, AL; three sisters, Elizabeth Melton, Sylvia Sands, and Felicia Melton, Lanett, AL; four aunts, Dorothy Melton, Emma Kate Eli, Corine Melton, all of Lanett, AL and Annie Ruth Tibbs, Seattle, WA; two uncles, Willie Melton, and George (Frances) Melton, Lanett, AL; two nieces, Sandricka (Melvin) Mosley, LaGrange, GA; Aries (Jabari) Lynch, Lanett, AL; two nephews, Jevon (LaShonda) Sands, Lanett, AL; Dereke (Jerzundas) Melton, Fairburn, GA; twelve great nieces and nephews, Anastasia, Zachaeus, Keavis, Zahdai, Zion, Jamonya, Isaiah, Jabarious, Aneres, NaShawn, Zaven, and Kayden.  God mother, Catherine Barrow, Lanett, AL; God sisters, Michelle Magby, Valley, AL; Dillie Mitchell, Lanett, AL; Mary (Marvin) Reese, Lafayette, AL; very special cousins, Melissa Luck, Atlanta, GA;  Jacqueline (Richard) Brooks, Cynthia Madden, Tracy Murry, Carrie Thomas, Ernestine Grant, Lanett, AL; Mary (Ralph) Davidson, West Point, GA; a host of cousins, other relatives, and friends.