LANCASTER, SC ~ Bernice Hance Melton, the last member of the Greatest Generation from her large extended family, died Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2023, at The Grove assisted living center in Lancaster. She was two months shy of her 100th birthday.

Mrs. Melton, daughter of W.G. and Beulah Hinson Hance, was born Dec. 10, 1923, at her family's farm in Rich Hill. She and her six brothers grew up during the Depression, with chores before dawn, cotton-picking after school and studies by oil lamp around the dining table.

She graduated from Heath Springs High School in 1940. Two years into her studies at Winthrop College, as World War II raged, she came home to help fill an urgent need for schoolteachers. She received bachelor's and master's degrees from Winthrop and taught in Lancaster County's schools for 36 years, returning later in retirement as a substitute teacher for another decade.

Mrs. Melton married Harry L. Melton of Lancaster in 1949 at First Baptist Church, where they worshipped and served for the rest of their active lives. They had three sons, three grandchildren and four great-grands. Aunt Bea, as she was known to her 19 nieces and nephews, was a prolific gardener, adventurous cook and devoted student of the Bible.

She is survived by sons Hal (Roberta) Melton of Raleigh, Brian (Joy) Melton of Lancaster, and Richard (Lisa) Melton of Beaufort; grandchildren, Keithan (Miranda) Melton of Franklin, Tenn., Erin (Jeremy) Muller of Marietta, Ga., Anna Melton and fiancé Ben Zeidell of Asheville, N.C.; and great-grandsons Thomas, Vann and Mitchell Melton of Franklin, and Cameron Muller of Marietta.

Mrs. Melton was preceded in death by her husband of 61 years, her parents, and brothers George, Odell, Boyd, J.T., Max and Carl Hance.

The graveside service is 12:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023, at Memorial Park in Lancaster. Memorials may be sent to First Baptist Church, PO Box 670, Lancaster, SC 29721.