Sarah Frances Fite Melton

Sarah Frances Fite Melton 90, of St. Albans passed away Tuesday, August 13, 2013 at Hubbard Hospice House, Charleston. She was preceded in death by her husband, W. Albert Melton, Jr. having been married for 47 years and her parents, Lunette Wright Fite and Paul Fite. Sarah was born May 17, 1923 in Nashville, TN and at the age of one moved to Charleston. She attended the schools in Kanawha Valley and graduated from Charleston High School in 1941. While in high school Sarah, in her senior year, took a course called Distributive Education attending school part of day and working. She began her career at the Diamond Department Store. She loved her job and the people she worked with. She worked until her first child was born. From then on, Sarah was a stay at home mom. Sarah moved to St. Albans in 1959 where she became a member of St. Andrew United Methodist Church, where she was a 50 year member. She was a former member of the Belle Bennett Circle, Hansford Senior Center, Charleston High Reunion Committee, Highlawn Civic Club and was active in the St. Albans Garden Club and the WV Red Hot C.O.A.L.S. She was selected in 1941 as the first Miss Charleston Gazette at the North South Football game and she was also a cheerleader. With her daughters, she was active in the Girl Scouts and 4-H. With her son she shared her husband, with the Boy Scout Troop 75 and the annual fund raiser Christmas tree sales. She also had a great love of her dogwood trees; she had 13 at one time but loss several to disease. Sarah had many names, Sister, Mother, MaMa, Aunt, Sarah, and her most precious name “PongPong”. Her life was a happy one and she is survived by her daughters, Jan Annette (Mike) Quinlan and Diana M. (Ron) Beane all of St. Albans; son, Randy A. Melton of St. Albans; sister, Pauline Gentry of St. Albans; six grandchildren, Tim and Tom Quinlan, Tiffany Bryan, Kim and Kelly Beane and Anne Frances Melton; six great grandchildren, Michael, Alyssa, Megan and Emily Quinlan, Carley and Lily Bryan; as well as several nieces and nephews. Funeral service will be held at 11:00 am Friday, August 16, 2013 at Bartlett-Chapman Funeral Home, 409 Sixth Avenue, St. Albans with Rev. Loretta Isaiah officiating. Entombment will follow in Cunningham Memorial Park, St. Albans. Friends may visit from 6-8 pm Thursday at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations be made to HospiceCare, 1606 Kanawha Blvd. W., Charleston, WV 25387.

Sarah Frances Fite Melton

May 17, 1923 - August 13, 2013