Speck Funeral Home - Cecil Melton

Funeral Services for Mr. Cecil Leon "Lee" Melton, age 85, of Cookeville will be conducted 10 a.m., Thursday, September 2, 2021 from the chapel of Speck Funeral Home.  Bro. Rick Cross will officiate.  Burial to follow in the Fellowship Cemetery with Military Honors provided at graveside by the Overton County Veterans Honor Guard.  The family will welcome friends on Wednesday evening from 4:30 until 7 p.m., with a Masonic Service at 7 p.m. by the Cookeville Lodge #266 of Free & Accepted Masons, Receiving friends on Thursday morning from 9 a.m. until time of services, at Speck Funeral Home. 

Mr. Cecil Leon "Lee" Melton passed from our world on Saturday evening,  August 28th 2021 from the Bailey Manor in Cookeville.  He was born on November 29th, 1935, in Eldorado, Illinois to the late Cecil A. and Edith Upton Melton.  His Siblings include; Lois, Gary, James Curtis, Eugene, Doyle, and Jerry.

Lee was, and shall remain, a patriarch in every sense of the word.  His dedication to always putting family first was shown, not spoken, ceaselessly.  Lee was never afraid of hard work, joining the Army at a very young age during the Korean War.  He Finished his service as a drill instructor being discharged honorably.  He then built a career as a highly reputable heavy equipment mechanic for many years until shifting to a computer specialist, which he retired as.  Lee then worked tirelessly for his fraternity and their charities. Lee was a 44-year member of Free & Accepted Masons, having served as Worshipful Master of Byrdstown Lodge No. 496 in 1981, and Worshipful Master of Cookeville Lodge No. 266 in 2009.

Family left behind sorrowfully missing him; His loving wife of 63 years, Shirley Roark Melton; brother, Gary D. Melton and wife Lou Ann; daughters, Tammy Abbott and son-in-law Ricky, Vicky Spencer and son-in-law, John; son, Gary Melton; grandchildren, Seth Melton, Todd Abbott, Nikki Brown, Brandi Stamps, and David Hewitt; great-grandchildren, Remi Melton, Henry Stamps, Charlie Stamps, Deycee Abbott, Deyson Abbott, Lane Brown, Chani Hewitt, and Ethan Hewitt; also the list of Masonic brothers fortunate enough to share in Brother Lee's light is vast.

In addition to his parents, Lee was preceded in death by his brothers, James Curtis, Eugene, Doyle and Jerry Melton; sister, Lois Whipple. 

Pallbearers to serve are John Spencer, David Hewitt, Rick Abbott, Ethan Hewitt, Seth Melton, and Todd Abbott. 

Memorial Donations in memory of Lee may be made to the St. Judes Children Hospital by contacting Speck Funeral Home. 

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