Paul James Melton, son of the late Major Campbell and Beulah Melton and the stepson of the late Jerry Colson was born October 14, 1939 in Anson County, North Carolina. He departed his life on July 6, 2022 at Atrium Health Stanly, Albemarle, North Carolina.

Paul confessed Christ as his savior at an early age. He was a faithful member of Cottonville AME Zion Church. He also served until God called him home on W.H.M.O. Missionary, Class Leader, Trustee, President of Lay Council, Sunday School Treasurer, Preacher Steward in the past. He was a Prince Hall Mason.

He attended the public schools of Stanly County. He went to work at McSwain and Sons, Collins & Aikman and Mount Aire until he retired.

He was preceded in death by his parents, one grandson, Gregory Butler and one granddaughter, Jabria Melton; one great grandson, Rah Powe; three sisters, Lucy Colson Howell, Lucrease Colson-Clark and Ethel Campbell Anthony; six brothers, Clinton Campbell, Joe, Jerry Jr., Odell, Maurice and Tony Colson; one brother-in-law, John Barnes.

Left to cherish his memories are his wife, Annie Melton; three sons, Kent (Kay) Melton, Norbert Melton and Jahan (Atilya) Melton of Norwood, NC; three daughters, Carolyn (Kenneth) Richardson of Norwood, NC, Beverly (Terry) Davis of Cheraw, SC and Beverly Wall of Concord, NC; one special granddaughter, Tasheka Calloway who nursed him during his illness of Norwood, NC. Twenty grandchildren and twenty-three great grandchildren.

Three brothers, Jess (Kathy) Colson of Tuskegee, AL, Michael (Josie) Colson of Alexandria, VA, Lewis Colson of Albemarle, NC; five sisters, Lillie (Harold) Ledbetter of Polkton, NC, Mabel (JT) Jones of Athens, GA, Villa Colson of Albemarle, NC, Althelia Barnes of Hyattsville, MD and Teresa Colson of Alexandria, VA.

Six sisters-in-law, Shirlene Collins, Juanita Colson, Lynn Colson, Shirley (Tony) Lloyd, Lillie Ingram, Fanny Watkins of Norwood, NC; three brothers-in-law, Robert (Lizzie) Lee of Ansonville, NC, Walter (Marshel) Lee of Norwood, NC and Garrison (Christine) Lee of Albemarle, NC; two special nieces, Toneka (Edward) Ridenhour and Maria Hailey of Albemarle, NC. A host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

The Homegoing Services will be on Monday, July 11, 2022, 12:30pm, Smith's Memorial Chapel, 604 Salisbury Street, Wadesboro, North Carolina. Interment will be in Cottonville AME Zion Church Cemetery, Norwood, North Carolina.