Ella Mae Melton, 81, of Lebanon, died Saturday, May 1, 2021, in Lebanon.
She was born Oct. 11, 1939, in Springfield, Mo. to Wallace Eugene and Delsa Madeline DeVasure Claxton.
On March 1, 1959, she married Doeling L. Claxton, and she married Ronald Eugene Melton on Oct. 9, 1981.
She was preceded in death by her parents; one brother, Wallace Dean Claxton; a stepdaughter, Rhonda Ann Light; step-granddaughter, McKayla Light; brothers and sisters-in-law, Bill and Russell Melton and Bonnie Jennings.
Ella graduated from Central High School in Springfield, with the class of 1957. She helped on a dairy farm for several years. She also worked for Sho-Me Power for a period of time. For 50 years she owned and operated Claxton Accounting. She began bookkeeping in her home in 1962 and opened the office in Lebanon in 1976. Ella also enjoyed gardening, both flowers and vegetables and traveling. However, she most cherished the time spent with her family, especially her grandchildren.
She made a profession of faith in Christ as a young girl, while attending church with a friend.
Survivors include her husband Ronald Eugene Melton; two sons, Kelly A. Claxton of Lebanon and Ricky Lynn Melton and his wife Carmen of the state of Arkansas; two daughters, Sandra Kay Claxton of Republic,and Sonya Shultz and husband Terry of Waynesville; one sister, Rebecca Rae Durst and her husband Tom of Huggins, Mo.; eight grandchildren, Christina Pitt, Brittany Light-Fresquez and her husband Rich, John Shultz and his wife Jessica, Cassandra Shultz, Kelly Andrew Claxton, Jr., Sarah Shoemate and her husband Nick, Noelle Melton and Lindsay Melton; eleven great-grandchildren; other relatives and many friends
Funeral services for Ella Mae Melton will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, May 6, 2021, at Shadel’s Colonial Chapel with Pastor David Douglas officiating. Burial will be in Claxton Cemetery, under the direction of Shadel’s Colonial Chapel of Lebanon. Visitation will begin at 5 p.m. Wednesday also at Shadel’s Colonial Chapel. Memorials have been suggested to Disabled American Veterans or Claxton Cemetery. Donations can be left at or mailed to Shadel’s Colonial Chapel, P.O. Box 948 or 1001 N. Lynn, Lebanon, Mo. 65536. Sign guest book at www.shadelscolonialchapel.com.
