Hoyt Melton, 80, of Athens, TN passed away Tuesday, August 5, 2025.

Hoyt served in the United States Air Force; he retired from M&M Mars after working for 25 years. He was a member of Valley View Baptist Church of Athens, TN. For 57 years, he lived a life devoted to faith, family, and service. As a beloved pastor, he led with humility, grace, and a heart full of compassion. His words brought comfort, his presence brought peace, and his legacy of love will live on in all who knew him. "Well done, good and faithful servant."-Matthew 25:23.

He is preceded in death by his parents, George and Mattie Melton; brothers, Paul Melton, Herman Melton, Dwight Melton, Jerry Melton, and Spencer Melton; sister, Aliene Melton Stewart; brother-in-law, Parnick Stewart.

He is survived by his wife, Shirley Hicks Melton; son and daughter-in-law, David Sullivan and Penny Melton; daughters and sons-in-law, Teresa and Jeffrey Buchanan, Shannon Gibson, Courtney and Jon Abbott; grandchildren and spouses, Amberly and Jordan Fox, Ashlyn and Jacob Schwartz, Kylie Buchanan, Sierra and Ryan Hickman, Talon and Natalie Gibson, Zaeleigh Abbott, Raylan Abbott, Tiffany Davis, Andy and Kristen Bridgmon; great-grandchildren, Carley Davis, Maddie Davis, Olivia Bridgmon, Bryson Bridgmon, Liam Schwartz, Aria Schwartz, Maddie Hickman, Gracyn Hickman and Addison Hickman; brother and sister-in-law, James and Pat Melton; sisters-in-law, Jessie Melton and Carlotta Melton.

Funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Friday, August 8th in the chapel of Bordwine Funeral Home with Rev. Vernon Webb and Rev. Fred Tate officiating.

The family will receive friends from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m., Friday prior to the service.

Interment will follow the service in Eastanallee Baptist Church Cemetery.

Lee Hicks, Chris Nunley, Ryan Hickman, Randy Coleman, Jordan Fox and Jacob Schwartz will serve as pallbearers. R.L. Hicks, Kevin Lillard, Danny Yarberry, Vic Walker and Quay Loveday will serve as honorary pallbearers.