Melvin, Leona

LAURINBURG, NC — Leona Marie Miller Melvin, of Laurinburg, passed away June 6, 2011, after a long illness. She was born February 9, 1917, in Lake View, SC, the daughter of the late McKiver and Judith Maie Turner Miller. She was predeceased by her husband, J.D. Melvin, and brothers, McKiver, Lloyd, Worth, Howard, Leo, Horace, and Grady B. Miller. Leona graduated from Lake View High School in 1935 and struck out on her own, living in both Myrtle Beach and Florence, SC where she worked for several years. Her parents decided to relocate to Pender County and Leona soon followed. She quickly landed a job at the Bus Station in Wilmington, where she met and married Clarence Lee Matthews. Within a few years she also worked part-time in Burgaw for Mrs. Waddell, who owned the Burgaw area telephone system-Leona was an operator. In 1956 Leona began working full time in the meat department for the A & P Grocery Store on Princess Street, Wilmington, where she met and married J. D. Melvin. She retired from A & P after 20 years of loyal service. Leona was an active member of Wrightsboro Baptist Church. Leona is survived by two sons, Billy E. Miller and wife, Caledonia, of Wilmington and Herbert Lee Matthews, of Rocky Point; daughter, Patricia Matthews Smith and husband, Larry, of Laurinburg; step-son, David Melvin and wife, Carla, of St. Simon Island; step-daughter, June Wilkins and husband, Joe, of Swansboro; grandchildren, Billy E. Miller, Jr., Steven C. Miller, Wendy Lee, Jessie Matthews, Laura Mott, Jamie Smith, and Jody Smith; several great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; sister, Myrtle Miller LaVere and husband, Edward, of Burgaw; brother, Billy Edward Miller; and many nieces and nephews. The family will receive friends from 9:30 a.m. until 10:30 a.m. Thursday, June 9, 2011, at Biggs Funeral home. A graveside service will be conducted at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, June 9, 2011, in Meadowbrook Cemetery with Rev. Charles A. Smith officiating. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or the Hospice of Scotland County, P.O. Box 1033 Laurinburg, NC 28353. Arrangements under the direction of Biggs Funeral Home, Lumberton, NC.