Melca (Mel) Verlena Taylor Honeycutt, 94, of Radford, passed away Jan. 30, 2019.
Born October 9, 1924 in Ocala, Carroll County, Va. the daughter of the late Harmon Eddie Taylor and Verta Phillips Taylor.
She spent her childhood in Ocala and attended Carroll County Public schools, with the first six years in a one room school. She graduated from Hillsville High School, class of 1942.
During WWII she was employed by the War Department as a cryptographic clerk at Arlington Hall in Washington, DC.
After marriage in 1945 she found enjoyment as a homemaker in Hillsville, Manassas and Buck, Va., and in 1960 when her family relocated to Fairlawn, Va.
Melca was employed by Radford College in Audio Visual Services and in 1981 received the “President’s Employee Service Award” presented by the University President. She retired from Radford University in 1986 with 26 years of service.
She was an active member of BPW for 40 years, serving in most elected offices locally as well as holding district and state positions.
Mel was a member of Fairlawn Presbyterian Church and was strong in her faith. She cherished time with family and friends, and enjoyed flowers, gardening, and spending time outside reflecting on God’s creations.
Mel was preceded in death by her loving husband, Horace Lee Honeycutt, having spent 56 years together until his death in 2001. Predeceased family members include an infant brother and infant sister; brothers, Connie Wayne Taylor and Ivan McCoy Taylor; sisters-in-law, Patricia Holcolm Taylor and Ruth Honeycutt Dezern; and brothers-in-law, Eldon Honeycutt and Golden Dezern.
She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Dennis and Margaret Crews Honeycutt; brother, Eddie Colman Taylor (Glenda Westmorland); and sisters-in-law, Pearlie B Taylor, Billie D Taylor and Leah Honeycutt. Her special eight nieces and four nephews also survive, each of whom she loved very much.
The family would like to thank Gracie White for the compassion and care she provided Mel. Also they are grateful for neighbors, friends and church family, who visited her often, as well as for the care and support provided by Commonwealth Assisted Living-Radford and the Palliative Care Unit at Carilion Clinic.
The family will receive friends from 1 until 2 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 3, 2019 at the Mullins Funeral Home in Radford. Funeral services will begin at 2 p.m. with Rev. Allison Unroe officiating. Interment will follow in Sunrise Burial Park in Fairlawn.
If you wish, memorials may be made to the Fairlawn Presbyterian Church or the charity of your choice.
The Honeycutt family is in the care of Mullins Funeral Home & Crematory in Radford.
