Joyce Lee Melton, 62, of Corapeake, NC, passed away December 8, 2011, following a courageous and hard fought battle with cancer. A native of San Diego, CA, she was the daughter of Marilyn Grinnell and the late Earl Grinnell of San Diego. She was a graduate of Mesa College in San Diego and retired as an administrative assistant from the Norfolk Naval Shipyard.

She is survived by her husband of 37 years, James M. (Jim) Melton of Corapeake; step-daughter Lisa Melton Lovett of Knoxville, TN; grandson James Halcomb of Knoxville, TN; brother Larry Grinnell of San Diego; several sisters- and brothers-in-law; and several nieces and nephews.


Joyce was an avid and accomplished fisherwoman, a member of the Bass Anglers Sportsman Society (B.A.S.S.), and Virginia Bassmasters. She loved music, especially bluegrass and gospel. She loved to sing, and to play upright bass and guitar. She was always ready to help if a band needed her talents. She was an accomplished quilter, exhibiting her artistic talents in the many beautiful quilts she sewed together and hand quilted. An excellent cook, she was best known for her homemade peanut brittle. She supported organ donation and, per her request, her remains are to be cremated.


A Celebration of Life Service will be held on December 10, 2011, at 2 p.m. at Parr Funeral Service & Crematory, with Rev. Lonnie Correll officiating. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations may be made to the American Cancer Society, Suffolk American Cancer Society, the Susan G Komen For The Cure Foundation, or your favorite charity. Condolences may be registered online at www.parrfuneralhome.com