Rev. Melvin Wright Stallings, age 96, formerly of Baber Road in Rutherfordton, NC passed away on April 14th 2012 at the Hospice House of Kings Mountain. Rev. Stallings was the son of the late TC and Fannie Stallings, and was a graduate of Mars Hill College, Oklahoma Baptist University, and attended the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Rev. Stallings pastored churches in Oklahoma, North Carolina, and South Carolina. After retirement in 1978, he served as an interim pastor in the Sandy Run Baptist Association and the Green River Baptist Association. He has been active in ministry since 1937. Left to cherish his memory are his two daughters Brenda Blanton and Doris McSwain both of Kings Mountain, one sister, Myrtle Connell of Asheville, NC, three grandchildren and three great grandchildren. In addition to his parents, Rev. Stallings was predeceased by his first wife Helen Burton Stallings, his second wife Cora W. Stallings, and his third wife Mildred Stroud Stallings. Services will be held at Bethany Baptist Church, 760 Bethany Church Rd, Forest City NC 28043 on Wednesday April 18th at 11AM with the Rev. Marvin Green and Rev. Chris Fox officiating. The family will receive friends from 10AM-11AM prior to the church service. Burial will follow at 3:30PM in Cold Water Baptist Church Cemetery 1045 Union Street South, Concord NC 28025. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Baptist Children's Homes of NC P.O. Box 338 Thomasville, NC 27361-0338. Online condolences may be made at www.crowemortuary.com