Diane Rippey Melton

Diane Rippey Melton passed away peacefully at her home on April 7th. She was 85 years of age. She was born in Daytona Beach, Fl. Her parents were Nelson Darrel Rippey and Julia Alma Joye. She grew up in Daytona Beach and later moved to Atlanta she attended Fulton High School and was a majorette. After graduation, she attended Grady Memorial Nursing School where she obtained a bachelor's degree in nursing in 1959. While in nursing school she met her future husband James David Melton, Jr. who was a medical student at Emory University. She married in 1958. She moved several times during her husband’s Orthopedic Surgery residency and service in the Air Force. Diane worked as a traveling nurse during that time. She and her family settled in Lakeland in 1966.

Diane was a volunteer at Dixieland Elementary School, the Guardian Ad Litem program, and The Junior League of Greater Lakeland. She chaired the Junior League’s thrift sale in 1974. She was an avid tennis player, enjoyed bridge, reading, and baking particularly with her grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by her husband of 62 years James D Melton, Jr., son Thomas Lanier Melton Sr., and daughter Lynda Susan Melton. She is survived by her son James D Melton III., daughter Laura Ann Melton, and grandchildren James D Melton IV (Chrissy), Cori E Melton, Chandler P Melton, John P Collins Jr., Rippey L Collins, Thomas Lanier Melton Jr. and Julia Gene Melton. She is also survived by one great-grandchild James D Melton V and her half brother Tim Rippey (Betsy).

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Good Shepherd Hospice of Lakeland.

The family would like to thank her dedicated caregivers Dawn, Gloria, Kathy and Elizabeth.

A graveside service will be held Thursday April 11th at 11am at Oak Hill Burial Park. The family will hold a reception afterwards at Diane’s home.