Helen Jeanette Pope Horton Melson was born in Waynesboro, TN on October 18, 1940, to the late Mr. Ruby “Red” Pope and Mrs. Mary Lois Pulley Pope. Ms. Helen would spend her childhood surrounded by the beautiful nature of Wayne County and her family, whom she dearly loved. She would finish her academic career graduating from Wayne County High in 1959. Ms. Helen would marry Mr. Teddy Chester Horton on August 14, 1959, and the two made Waynesboro their forever home, raising their children and remained married until his passing on January 17, 1995. She would later meet and marry Mr. Billy Paul Melson on July 01, 2001, and the two would remain married until his passing on September 21,2012. Ms. Helen, being community minded, served her beloved Eastern Star on her last appointment attaining the title of “Worthy Matron”. Her love for her God was always first and foremost on her mind as she loved reading her Bible and worshiping at the Phillips Chapel Community Church in Waynesboro. When not serving her community or her church she often could be seen keeping her house clean, mowing her lawn, attending the grand and great-grand children’s extracurricular activities and school functions as she rarely missed an opportunity to support her family. Watching the seeds she planted grow in her family as they grew would be considered her greatest achievement. Ms. Helen Jeanette Pope Horton Melson passed from this life on November 1, 2024 to be with her Lord at her home in Waynesboro surrounded by family making her stay on this earth some 84 years and 14 days.
She is survived by her daughters Pam Odle and husband Jerry of Olive Hill, TN and Wonda Darlene Turnbo and husband Manuel of Waynesboro, TN; grandchildren Brandi Bundrant and husband Jeremy of Waynesboro, TN, Jamie Odle and wife Carol Ann of Olive Hill, TN, Tamara Ratcliff and husband John of Jacks Creek, TN, Kelli Anne Violet and husband Josh of Lawrenceburg, TN and Sabra McCrory and husband Colby of Waynesboro, TN; great-grandchildren Sallie Bundrant, Katie Bundrant and fiancé Dalton Jones, Hedi Bundrant all of Waynesboro, TN, Haley Odle and Libby Odle both of Olive Hill, TN, Will Ratcliff, Issac Ratcliff, Bo Thomas Ratcliff and Colton Ratcliff all of Jacks Creek, TN, Acelyn Violet and Barret Violet both of Lawrenceburg, TN , Nolan McCrory and Saige McCrory both of Waynesboro, TN; siblings Willard Dee Pope and wife Brenda, Randy Pope and wife Janie, and Dwight Pope and wife Cyndy all of Waynesboro, TN; sister-in-law Eva Jean Pope also of Waynesboro, TN as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins ,friends and loved ones.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother Harold Pope.
Funeral services will be held Sunday November 03, 2024, at 11:00 am with Joel Wallace officiating and Sally Bundrant reading the obituary.
Visitation will begin Sunday November 03, 2024, from 8:30 am till 11:00 am service time all at the Bates-Love Funeral and Cremation, LLC Chapel in Waynesboro.
Burial will follow in the Waynesboro Memorial Gardens.
Bates-Love Funeral and Cremation. LLC is honored to serve the family.
