Kay Dobbs Melton, 84, a lifelong resident of Etowah, TN, passed away peacefully at her beloved home on Sunday, September 3, 2023. The family is deeply saddened by their loss, but cherishing a lifetime of precious memories. Kay was born on October 27, 1938, as the only child to the late William Kenneth and Mary Katherine (Witt) Dobbs of Etowah. Upon graduating from Etowah High School in 1956, Kay attended the University of Tennessee before returning home to Etowah to marry the love of her life, Jakie Melton. Kay was the last school secretary at Etowah High School and the first school secretary at Central High School, where she served until her retirement. Kay loved her hometown and was a faithful and dedicated community servant her entire life, putting in decades of service volunteering at the L&N Depot and as President of the Etowah High School Alumni Association. Over the years, she also served on the Etowah Historical Commission and as long-time chair or co-chair of the Etowah Fourth of July Committee. Kay was the first ever recipient of the R. Frank McKinney Distinguished Service Award presented annually by the Etowah Chamber of Commerce to the most outstanding community servant in the Etowah area. Kay was a lifelong, multi-generational member of Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church of Etowah where she sang in the choir with her dear friends for many years. Beyond even her service to the Etowah community, Kay's greatest legacy was as a loving and adored "Grammy" to her grandkids and great-grandkids and a loyal and devoted friend to many. She was preceded in death by her parents, Kenneth and Katherine Dobbs, and her husband, Jakie Robert Melton.

Survivors include her daughters, Donna Katherine "Kandi" Melton, Teri Melton Blair and husband, Joel S. "Jody" Blair; grandchildren, Jessica Blair Goodin and husband, Cody Goodin, Russ Blair and wife, Savannah Blair, Blake Wolfenden and wife, Jessica Wolfenden, and Chad Wolfenden; great-grandchildren, Sadie Goodin, Jake Goodin, Ellie Goodin, Beau Blair, Braxton Blair, Brooks Blair, Eli Wolfenden, Ellsa Wolfenden, Emilia Wolfenden, Nash Wolfenden and Jack Wolfenden; and many, many dear friends including her fellow EHS alumni. A graveside service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Thursday, September 7, 2023 in Green Hill Cemetery, Etowah, TN with her grandson, Russ Blair and Rev. Andrew Lay officiating. Russ Blair, Jody Blair, Cody Goodin, Jake Goodin, Mike Hodge, Beau Blair, Braxton Blair and Brooks Blair will serve as pall bearers.