Mother Bessie Mae Speed Melton was born, September 17th, 1929, in Eaton Park, Florida to Osborne Speed and Mary Lou Davis.

Mother Melton was a devoted member of Pilgrim Rest Freewill Baptist Church and devoted her life to the Christ at an early age. She was faithful to her church and served as a trustee and leader in many capacities for over 75 years, including usher, choir member, choir president, home mission, Love in Action, and established the Food Bank ministry in 1999.

Mother Melton was devoted to serving in the community and served many roles; early member of the Eastern Star and founded Seniors in Action on the Move Group in March 2018 as she continued to devote her time and dedication to her local community. She loved and cherished her many friendships by daily contact with the sick and shut in as well as with her devoted children, grandchildren and dear friends.
She is also preceded in death by her loving husband of 53 years, Willie Van Melton, Sr., and three of her children, Leo, Paul, Pauline, and Willie Melton, Jr. (Peter), parents Osborne and Mary Lou Speed, siblings: Lillie Mae Speed Neal, Henry Speed, Arthur Speed, Clarence Speed, Clemateen Speed Butler, Thirsa Lee Speed Hudson, Essie Mae Speed Joyner, Madison Speed, Cecil Speed, Margaret Speed Garvin, Naomi Speed Glover, Willie Speed, Demetrius McDougal, Yvonne Speed Williams and grandchildren: Yolanda and Carla McDougal and Rory Culpepper.

She is survived by three children; Carolyn Speed Lightsy (Charles), Leon McDougal, Sylvia McDougal Culpepper, and adopted son, Xavier Melton (Mauri), grandchildren: Dr. Kelly, Ava, Rodney, Adrienne, Shannon, April, Yolanda, Oneka. Also left to cherish her memory, a loving granddaughter and caretaker, Yoranda McDougal, special niece and neighbor, Gertrude Norman, daughter-in-law: Rosetta McDougal, brother-in-law: Deacon Joseph Garvin; sister-in-law: Latha M. Speed; church caretaker: Bro. Josiah Clay and loving friends, Emily and Deacon David Baker and a host of Godchildren that she claimed over many years along with great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren, but also to her cherished nieces and nephews.