Birth Date: 06/06/1940
Deceased Date: 07/20/2019
Smithfield – Thomas Ray Melvin Sr., age 79, passed away peacefully at his home July 20, 2019. Born June 6, 1940 in Johnston County to the late Gilbert Lee and Hattie Barbour Melvin. Funeral services will be conducted on Wednesday July 24, 2019 at 2 PM in the chapel of Parrish Funeral Home with Pastor Lewis Godwin officiating. The family will receive visitors at Parrish funeral home one hour prior to the service. Burial will follow in Davis family cemetery. Mr. Thomas is survived by loving wife of 58 years, Ellen Davis Melvin; Son, Thomas Ray Melvin Jr.; Daughters, Cindy White of Pine Level, Lisa Vaughn and husband Keith of Pine Level, Sevonne Melvin of Smithfield; Brother, Lee Edward Melvin of Smithfield; Grandchildren, Brandon Vaughn, Dustin White, Deanna White, Nicholas Melvin, Brian Vaughn, Blake White, Nicole Melvin, Tanner Melvin, Ellie Melvin; Great granddaughter, Allie White; Canine companions, Easy and Albert. Mr. Thomas attended NC State University and Purdue University where he majored in Entomology. He was a member of Hopewell Freewill Baptist Church where he served as a deacon and choir member. In 1963, he started working in the exterminating business with Orkin Exterminating in Wilmington. In 1966, he started working with SG Flowers Exterminating in Smithfield, working there until 1974. In 1974, he received his license in pest control and wood destroying insects from the NC Department of Agriculture. He then accepted a position as manager of N.E Moore Exterminating Company in Greenville, NC. In 1976 he founded Melvin’s Termite and Pest Control. In 2002, his son Thomas Ray Melvin Jr. joined him in the business, and together they incorporated the business. He retired from the company on November 22, 2017. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Hopewell Freewill Baptist Church, PO Box 429 Four Oaks, NC 27524 or to Johnston Health and Hospice attention: Johnston Health Foundation, PO Box 1376, Smithfield, NC 27577.
