Emmanuel "Wayne" Melton, 64, passed away surrounded by his family, on April 1, 2024, in Batesville, AR. He was born on April 10, 1959, in Batesville, AR, to Chester Melton and Billie Sue (McCance) Melton. Wayne worked at Banquet Foods for several years. He loved listening to music, especially Southern gospel. Wayne was a Christian man who loved to read his Bible and talk about the Lord. Wayne also loved his family and friends and had a way of encouraging them and making them laugh. He will be greatly missed by all those who loved him.

Wayne is survived by his brother, Russell Melton (Michele); sister, Paula Clark (Sky); nephews, Nicholas Melton and Lonnie Clark (Stacey); niece, Candace Morrow (Ryan); several extended family members and friends; and was quickly reunited in Heaven with his mother, Billie Sue Melton. He is preceded in death by his father, Chester Melton; paternal grandparents, Henry C. Melton and Alene Melton; and maternal grandparents, William McCance and Mae McCance.

Services will be held for both Wayne and his mother, Billie, at Cornerstone Community Church on Friday, April 5, 2024, with visitation starting at 12 PM. The funeral service, officiated by Leonard Tharp and Carl Blankenship, will follow at 2 PM. Interment will be at Pleasant Valley Cemetery in Cushman, AR. Those honored to serve as pallbearers are James Ray Melton, Andy Cowden, Randy "Bear" Riley, William Riley, Glenn Melton, and Ronnie McCance. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Arkansas Children's Hospital and St. Jude's Research Hospital. Services are entrusted to Willis Funeral Service.