Nadine Williams Melton

Nadine W. Melton died on October 19,2016 at Dunbar Village in Bay St. Louis, MS. She died peacefully in her sleep from complications of Alzheimer's Disease. She was a former resident of Long Beach, MS and Indianola, MS.
At her request, no service will be held. A private family celebration of her full and extraordinary life is planned for a later date.
Nadine leaves her daughter, Judy Melton Wood (Charles), and her son, Allen Melton, both of Long Beach. She was Nanna to four grandchildren, Bill Melton (Amanda) of Daphne, AL, Merideth Dickerson (Lee) of Gautier, MS, John Couey (Dudley) of Greenville, MS and Ali Browne (Jason) of Metairie, LA. Her grandchildren have wonderful memories of their times at her homes. She was blessed with six great- grandchildren - Joseph, Ben, Olivia, Will, Garren, Kirkland and Harper Nadine. She is survived by two sisters- in- laws - Betty Williams (John Henry) of Drew, MS, Ruby Vance (Lexie)of Greenville, MS, and one brother-in-law, James Norwood, of Omaha, NE. As one of ten siblings and wife of Jesse who was one of six siblings, Nadine was an aunt to a ""slew"" of nieces and nephews, each of whom have special memories and stories about their Aunt Nadine. She also leaves many friends, both young and old, who know her as generous, witty, and truly authentic.
Nadine was preceded in death by her husband Jesse Holt Melton, her sons Robert Land, and Billy Randall (Lenora) Melton. Her siblings all preceded her in death.
Born to James Magnus Williams and Ethyl White Williams in Dancy, MS on November 17, 1925, Nadine inherited her father's work ethic and her mother's beautiful green eyes and nurturing nature. A stubborn gene was passed along and is strong in all her descendants as well. She spent her early life with her nine siblings and parents learning the life lessons of responsibility, hard work, and love for family on her parents' farm. A graduate and ""pretty good"" basketball player at Drew High School, Nadine went to work in Greenwood, MS where she met her husband Jesse. They married while he was serving in the Navy and settled in Cleveland after his discharge. Her true adventures began in 1959 when they bought their first restaurant and a motel in Indianola. Nadine went on to own several successful restaurants in the Delta before retiring to Long Beach.
While serving up specialties like her Delta Quail smothered in gravy over rice with homemade biscuits, Nadine never once thought of having ""customers"" or ""employees"" because she considered everyone ""family."" In turn, she was ""Momma Nadine"" to all.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Alzheimer's Association 1.800.272.3900