AULANDER – Melvin Emles Shores, age 84, of the 300 block of St. John-Millennium Road, died peacefully on Sunday, April 24, 2011, at his home, surrounded by his family.

Mr. Shores was born on November 5, 1926 in Hertford County, a son of the late Garland and Katie Lassiter Shores.  He was a retired farmer, and was retired from the NC Department of Transportation.

He was an active member of St. Johns Baptist Church where he served as a Sunday school teacher, deacon, and Sunday school superintendent.  Melvin was also very active in the community, being a member of the Davie Masonic Lodge # 39 AF & AM, the New Bern Sudan Shrine Temple, and was a member and former chief of the St. Johns Volunteer Fire Department.  He also served as an auxiliary deputy sheriff for Hertford County under Sheriff Bunch and Sheriff Baker.

He was the widower of Clara Lassiter Shores, who preceded him in death in 2008.

Left to cherish his memory is his daughter, Rosa Shores Mizelle and husband, Terry Carroll Mizelle, of Colerain; his son, Johnny Ray Shores and his wife, Barbara Frazier Shores, of Lewisburg, WV; his sisters, Becky Blowe and husband, Harvey, of Millennium and Annette Blowe and husband, Henry, of St. Johns;  and brothers, Jessie Shores and Haywood Shores, both of Millennium.  Mr. Shores is also survived by his grandchildren, Christopher Brent Mizelle and wife, Jan, Stephanie Mizelle Capehart and husband, Cadmus, Jonathan Ray Shores and Stephen Michael Shores; and his great grandchildren, Perry Mizelle and Claire Mizelle.

Besides his parents and loving wife, he was predeceased by siblings, Bobby, Peggy, Elwood and Irvin Shores.

A celebration of life service will be conducted at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 26, 2011 at St. Johns Baptist Church with the Rev. Gilbert Crawford the Rev. Taylor Latham officiating.  Burial will follow in Highland Memorial Gardens with Masonic Rites.

The family will receive friends at the home.

Flowers are welcome or memorial donations may be made to St. Johns Baptist Church 1650 NC 461, Ahoskie, NC, 27910, University Health Systems Hospice, P.O. Box 272, Ahoskie, NC, 27910, or to St. Johns Volunteer Fire Department.

Family and friends may send condolences and sign the online guestbook by visiting www.garrettjonesfh.com.

Garrett Funeral Home of Ahoskie is serving the Shores family.