Melton E. "Red"  Middleton, 92 of Florence, SC,  passed away peacefully on Tuesday, July 30, 2024 in a local hospital.

Funeral services will be Friday, August 2, 2024 at 12:30 p.m. in the chapel of Layton-Anderson Funeral Home.  Burial will follow at Florence National Cemetery with military Honors.  The family will receive visitors and family from 11:30 to 12:30 at the funeral Home before the service.

"Red" as he was known by all,  was born in Hampton, South Carolina, the son of the late Heyward Eugene Middleton and the late Flossie Irene Smith Middleton.  He served his Country not once but in two branches of the military. After high school he joined the US Army and served in Korea.  He was awarded the Purple Heart for wounds received in Action, the combat infantry badge, Korean service ribbon, good conduct ribbon.  After the Army Melton re-enlisted in the Air Force, serving in Viet Nam, receiving the Viet Nam Service Ribbon, National Defense Ribbon and the Air Force Good Conduct Ribbon. He retired in 1974 with over 23 years of Honorable Service to his country.  His greatest Supporters were his wife Vira, daughter, Belinda who traveled with him on most of his Assignments, both overseas and the US.  After retiring he worked in the trucking industry. He was a member of the America Legion Post # 1, a life member of the the VFW, Post #3181, the DAV, F.D. Roosevelt.  Post #11 and the Air Force Sergeants Assoc.  Melton was a member of Peniel Baptist Church, where he had served as deacon  for several terms

He was first married to the late Vira C. Middleton for 48 years and then to the late Valerie Middleton.

Surviving are a daughter, Belinda M Newsome and her husband, Ronnie; granddaughter, Maleya Newsome;and the light of his life his great-granddaughter, Baylor Newsom; brother, William E. Middleton.  Other extended family are the children of his second wife, Carroll Floyd, Teresa Dickerson, Tina B. Gainey and their families.    He is preceded in death by brother, Robert L. Middleton, and step-son, David H. Blackwell.

You are invited to sign the guestbook at www.laytonandersonfh.com