LANCASTER, SC :::::::: Mr. Eugene Minor Melton, age 89, of Lancaster, SC passed away Saturday, October 13, 2012 at his home. He was born in Union County, NC, the son of Isom Lee Melton and Isadora Almetta Hinson Melton. He grew up on a farm in the Prospect Community. Mr. Melton was a State Farm Insurance Agent in Lancaster for thirty-six years and a permanent member of The President's Club. He was a real estate developer, builder, and co-owner of Melton Brothers Real Estate. Over the years it was his greatest joy to help many families own their first home.Mr. Melton was devoted to his church and community. He served in various leadership capacities throughout his life. A visionary, he was instrumental in establishing the first rural water districts for Lancaster County. In 1988, he led the drive to build the Moriah Baptist Association Mission Center.In retirement, Mr. Melton enjoyed spending more time with his family, raising cattle and gardening. Mr. Melton was well liked and respected by those who knew him. He came from humble beginnings and never forgot it. He tried to lend a hand to help those in need whenever possible and was a positive influence on the lives of his family as well as many others. He had a wonderful outlook on life and will be greatly missed by his family and many friends.Mr. Melton is survived by his wife of seventy years, Ruth Annie Miller Melton; seven daughters and their husbands: Mr. and Mrs. Donald Snipes (Linda) of Charlotte, NC; Mr. and Mrs. Charles E. Mathis (Janice) of Lancaster; Dr. and Mrs. LG Walker, Jr. (Dianne) of Charlotte, NC; Mr. and Mrs. Tony Whitaker (Gale) of Lancaster; Mr. and Mrs. Ray Plyler (Sandra) of Lancaster; Mr. and Mrs. Jackson Hunter (Christine) of Lancaster; and Mr. and Mrs. Chris Funderburk (Renee') of Lancaster; fifteen grandchildren; twenty great-grandchildren; and two great-great grandchildren.He is also survived by his sister, Verna Lee Catoe of Monroe, NC and two brothers; Steve Melton of Myrtle Beach, SC and I. L. (Buck) Melton, Jr. and his wife, Virginia, of Charlotte, NC; a brother-in-law, Charles McManus of Lancaster and nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; daughters, Judy Elaine Melton and Baby Girl Melton; sister, Geneva Melton; and his twin sister, Christine Melton; brothers, Crayton Melton, Codus Melton, and Kenneth Melton.The family will receive friends from 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm on Sunday, October 14, 2012 at Hartley Burgess Funeral Home. The funeral service for Mr. Melton will be 2:00pm Monday, October 15, 2012 at Bethlehem Baptist Church by Rev. Patrick Clark and Rev. Jason Myers. Burial will follow at Lancaster Memorial Park.Memorials may be made to Bethlehem Baptist Church, Gideons International, or Hospice Care of South Carolina.