Family and friends of Rubye Davidson Melton celebrate her life today. 

Born April 1, 1919, in Finger, Tenn., she was the daughter of Martin Van Buren Davidson Jr. and Pearlie Reeves Davidson. Rubye married Lloyd Carl Melton in 1945; they enjoyed 52 years of marriage before his death in 1998. She is survived by a son, Don Carlos Melton and his wife, Paulette of Lexington, Tenn., and a daughter, Betty Carrington and her husband John of Wasilla. Rubye leaves one granddaughter, Michelle Carrington of Memphis and two step-granddaughters, Jessica Hughes, her husband Lee, and Tonya Essary, her husband Jason. She was blessed with three step-great-grandchildren, Marley and Samantha Hughes and Scarlett Essary. She leaves one sister, Ann Murphy of Jacksonville, Fla., one sister-in-law, Helen Coleman of Smyrna, Tenn., and a close friend and loved one, Pat McConnell of Columbus, Ohio.  Besides her husband she was preceded in death by her parents, five brothers, and six sisters.

Rubye spent most of her life in West Tennessee, but spent the last four and a half years of life in Alaska, enjoying new adventures every day. Rubye was passionate about her family, laughter, gardening, all children and animals. She lives on in the hearts of many friends both in Alaska and Tennessee. A visitation will be from 2 to 4 p.m. today at Alaskan Heritage Memorial Chapel, 1015 S. Check Street in Wasilla.