Ima "Dean" Barnhill Melton

Mrs. Ima "Dean" Barnhill Melton, age 94, passed away on Tuesday, April 7, 2026 at her residence. Her private family graveside service was conducted on Saturday, April 11, 2026, at Shady Grove Cemetery by Bro. Randy Stephens.

Dean was born on July 12, 1931, in Henry County, Tennessee to the late Noah Franklin Barnhill and the late Mary Ellen "Mollie" Jackson Barnhill. She married Velnor "Roy" Melton on November 14, 1946 and he preceded her in death on June 25, 2009. She is survived by several nieces and nephews; great nieces and nephews; and by great-great nieces and nephews.

Besides her parents and husband, Dean is also preceded in death by her four brothers, William Edward, Robert Lee, Everett Mason, and James W. Barnhill.

Mrs. Melton was a member of Shady Grove Baptist Church. She and her husband moved to Chicago in April of 1952 and later moved back to Henry County in May of 1972. Dean was a homemaker, who dearly loved her family and her animals.