Carolyn Jean Melton

Carolyn Jean Tomlinson Melton, 83, of Severna Park passed away in her sleep on January 20, 2024.  She was a devoted wife to William Everett Melton.   They were married for more than 60 years.  Throughout their marriage they enjoyed traveling, getting together with family and friends, and taking Christian cruises.  A day together never passed that they didn’t share loving words, affection and laughter.  From Everett’s daily phone calls from work to Carolyn’s warm, welcoming embrace when he came home, there was always love.

Born in Kingsport, TN, Carolyn moved to Laurel, MD at a young age.  Many of her happiest childhood memories were at their home in Laurel, playing with her big sister Patty and little brother Ed.  Carolyn loved returning often to Tennessee to visit with aunts, uncles and cousins.  The family shared a harmony matched only by their voices when they sang together.

For many years, Carolyn was a homemaker and loving mother of three children: Lisa Melton, Bill (Michelle) Melton and Susan (Mark) Burg.  The Melton home was always opened to friends and loved ones.  She made everyone feel welcomed.  She diligently and thoughtfully managed the home that Everett customized with his handiwork.  As a mother, her children never doubted her love for them.  She was the heart of the family. If something was important to them, then it was important to her.  She set an example for how to live a Christian life: praying at each meal, kneeling at the bedside each night, reading her Bible, and loving everyone.   This love spread (and multiplied) with the arrival of her two grandsons, who she adored.

 Later Carolyn worked for MAPS, Inc in Glen Burnie.  That experience led her to open her own business: Marcom Marketing and Communications.   Concurrently working with Chambers of Commerce, she created maps and business guides for Severna Park, North County and West County.  She also published desk pads for colleges throughout the Baltimore area.  The Severna Park Chamber of Commerce voted her ‘Businesswoman of the Year’ and ‘Small Business of the Year.’  As one chamber member said, “she could sell ice to an Eskimo.”

 Carolyn was a member of the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ in Glen Burnie.  She served as secretary, Sunday school teacher, and piano player for many years.  Carolyn taught hundreds of children how to serve the Lord faithfully while also entertaining them with stories, songs, activities, picnics, plays, Vacation Bible School, and parties.  At Sunday evening services, Carolyn frequently sang special songs as solos or in duets and trios.  Her favorite song was “Child of the King.”

 In the last few years of her life, Carolyn suffered from a neurological condition that caused dementia and physical impairments.  Though she lost most of her memory and much of her language, she never lost her sense of humor and desire to connect with others.  She remained sociable, sweet and funny to end.

Carolyn is preceded in death by her sister Patty, her mother Lillian Tomlinson, and her twin sons, Keith and Kevin Melton. She is survived and sorely missed by her beloved husband Everett, her brother Ed (Cookie) Tomlinson, nieces and nephews, her three children, and two grandchildren, William Melton III and Andrew Melton.  A celebration of life will be held at a later date.