Beatrice Melton

Beatrice Wheeler Teal Melton, age 87 of Leeds, AL went to be with her Lord and Savior on February 2, 2018. She was a member of Upper Room Baptist Church. She graduated from Auburn University in 1955 and she furthered her education with a Master Degree and a Double AA Certificate from UAB. She started her teaching career at Talladega School for the Deaf and the Blind. She was the first teacher to start main streaming for the blind students in the public schools, which paved the road to other handicap students to be educated with their peers. She taught at Powell Elementary, Phillips High School, Barrett Elementary and Woodlawn High School. She was voted favorite teacher of the year twice. She also served as a past president of the National Federation of the Blind and she also taught Adult Literacy. She retired from Birmingham City Schools. After retirement she and her husband, Reuben traveled with Center Point Baptist Church on mission trips, where they helped with building and rehab of churches. She is preceded in death by her 5 brothers and 2 sisters. She is survived by her husband, Reuben Melton; children, Sandra Osborn (Keith) and Randy Teal; brother, Kenneth Lamar Wheeler (Vicki); 15 grandchildren, 16 great grandchildren and 1 great-great grandson; many aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews. Visitation will be on Tuesday, February 7, 2018 from 5 to 7 PM at Jefferson Memorial Funeral Home. Services will be on Wednesday at 10 AM in the chapel and the burial will follow at Forrest Cemetery in Gadsden, AL. Rev. Ken Taylor will be officiating over the services. Jefferson Memorial Trussville directing.