Thursday, March 28, 2019 8:08 am

Melba Kennedy Horne, age 81, of Ellenboro, passed away Thursday, March 21, 2019.

Melba was born April 25, 1937 in Rutherford County to the late Paul Major Kennedy and Ollie Grant Kennedy. She was a graduate of Ellenboro High School, class of 1955 and a longtime member of Caroleen Baptist Church. Melba enjoyed teaching Sunday School, helping during Vacation Bible School and serving on the Kitchen Committee at the church. She worked at Burlington Industries-Caroleen Plant and later worked at Ellenboro Elementary in the cafeteria. Melba loved gardening, reading and sewing, but her greatest joy came from being with her family and spending time with her grandchildren. She loved her family dearly.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of forty years, James Horne; sister, Juanalda Francis; brother, Robert Kennedy and a grandchild.

Those left to cherish her memory include four loving daughters, Libby Carlisle (Mike) of Shelby, Kathy Upton (Kent) of Ellenboro, Deborah Smith (Mark) of Winston-Salem and Wendy Moore (David) of Raleigh; and a sister, Nancy Walker of Ellenboro. She is also survived by seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

The funeral service was conducted at the Harrelson Funeral Chapel. Interment followed in Rutherford County Memorial Cemetery.

Memorial donations are requested to Hospice of the Carolina Foothills, P.O. Box 336, Forest City, NC 28043.

Harrelson Funeral and Cremation Services is serving the family.