FAYETTEVILLE - Mrs. Thelma Melton McLaurin, 89, of Heritage Suites, formerly of Wade, died Friday, March 6, 2009, in Cape Fear Valley Medical Center. Thelma Melton McLaurin was born May 6, 1919, in Darlington County, S.C. She married Merrill McLaurin Sr. on June 9, 1940. For 66 years she resided in Wade, where she raised six children and was an active member in her community. She was a dedicated servant and elder at Bluff Presbyterian Church. The family would like to acknowledge the love and care given by the staff at Heritage Assisted Living. Mrs. McLaurin was preceded in death by her parents, Norman and Julia Melton; brothers, John Melton and Norman Melton; and sisters, Lula Mae Martin, Lethea Purdue, Marguerite Jones and Annette Smothers. Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. today, March 8, 2009, in Bluff Presbyterian Church in Wade, with Dr. Robert Yoder and the Rev. Sammy McLamb officiating. Pallbearers will be Darrell McLaurin, Walter Parrish, Merrill McLaurin III, Billy Vickers, Mack Eason and Rob Scarboro. Burial will be in Old Bluff Presbyterian Church cemetery in Wade. The family will receive friends from 1 to 2 p.m. today at Bluff Presbyterian Fellowship Hall. Mrs. McLaurin is survived by her husband, Merrill McLaurin Sr.; children, Melton McLaurin (Sandra), Juanita M. Parrish (Walter), Timothy McLaurin (Jennie), Maxine M. Anders (Wade), Merrill McLaurin Jr. (Jo Ann) and Renee M. Giles (Chuck); 12 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; and siblings, James Melton, Frances M. Cox, Mary M. Hodges and Carolyn M. Howell. Memorials may be made to the Bluff Expansion Fund or to the Old Bluff Trust Fund. Services entrusted to Jernigan-Warren Funeral Home of Fayetteville.