Kimberly O'Neal Melton

Kimberly ONeal Melton, known to family and friends as "Lil Kim," entered into eternal rest on Wednesday, January 30, 2019 at the age of 53 years, following a 7 year battle with breast cancer. Kim was born July 16, 1965 in Chesterfield, SC a daughter of Peggy Melton McCormick and the late James Thomas Ratliff. She was raised by her grandparents, Thomas and Georgianna Ratliff. She attended the public schools of Anson County, but graduated from West Mecklenburg High School in Charlotte, NC, class of 1983. Kim went on to attend and graduate from Anson Technical College in Polkton, NC with a degree in Business Administration and another in Accounting. Kim worked in the nursing field for many years before deciding that she wanted more! Kim left nursing to work in the school system, where she was a teacher at Anson Challenge Academy in Wadesboro and Center High School in Pageland, SC. Kim accepted Christ at an early age and remained an active member of Timmonsville Missionary Baptist Church in Mt. Croghan, SC for many years. She served as an usher, lead singer of the adult choir and worked with the childrens music ministry. First and foremost, Kim loved her family and would often end conversations with the word "Ohana", which means family. She loved singing, cooking, doing hair and loving on her "Chuloo", her grandson, Jaleel Melton. She had a heart of gold and didnt mind being a help to anyone. Kim was simply an extraordinary person with a contagious smile. In addition to her father, she was preceded in death by her grandparents, Thomas and Georgianna Ratliff and her uncle Leory. Kim leaves to cherish her memories, her only daughter, Shequita and only grandson, Jaleel; her mother, Peggy McCormick (Alfred); her step-mother, Dorothy Ratliff of Charlotte; five brothers, Shawn Ratliff (Charmara) of Winston-Salem, Kiyoshi Ratliff and Covache Ratliff both of Charlotte, Ernest Melton of High Point and Rodney Melton (Nichia) of Greensboro; six sisters, Beverly Gaddy of Thomasville, Marquita Ratliff of Charlotte, Nicole Leak (James) of High Point, Stephanie McCormick of Sylva, and Hattie Gaddy and Sonia Gabriel both of Wadesboro; her adored cousin, Natacha Melton of Wadesboro; her dear friend of more than 28 years, Clifford S. Tillman of Wadesboro and a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Funeral services will be 2:00pm Monday, February 4, 2019 in the Chapel of Leavitt Funeral Home. Interment will follow in New Beginning Missionary Baptist Church Cemetery in Morven. The family will greet friends from 1:30pm until 2:00pm Monday at the funeral home and other times at the home. Public viewing will be from 1:00pm until 6:00pm Sunday February 3, 2019 at the funeral home. Those persons who attend the funeral service on Monday are encouraged to wear something pink in honor of those who are fighting breast cancer.