Joan Ann Johnson Melotte

Joan Ann Johnson Melotte SPARTANBURG, SC -- Joan Ann Johnson Melotte was born in Green Bay, Wisconsin on December 8, 1937, to Claude and Angeline Johnson, and was the oldest of eight children.  She left to be with her Lord and Savior on February 12, 2014.  She graduated from Seymour High School in Wisconsin.  After raising six children and moving to Spartanburg, she was proud of her role as owner with husband, Ken, of Little Caesars restaurants in the Upstate.  Joan had a love for cooking and quilting and used these gifts to give and serve others.  She was a model of loving humility, accepting all who walked through her door and treated each like family.  If you needed a meal, a bed, a hug, a laugh, or even a reprimand she was there to give it.  God gave her a great big heart and filled it with selfless love and compassion that blessed so many people.  Joan leaves her cherished husband of 56 years, Ken Melotte Sr.  She was a loving mother of six children (spouses/partners): Susan Shoemaker (Larry), Paul Melotte (Sissy), Michelle Panik (Joe), Ken Melotte Jr. (Diana), Peter Melotte (Patti), and Jennifer Joan McAskin (Chris).  Her 14 grandchildren, Jonathan, Trevor, Corbin, Sarah, Madeline, Hannah, Nichole, Kirk, Ashley, Ken III, Monica, Zoe, Jacob and Sam will miss her love and feistiness; she often surprised them with her candid advice.  Her 8 great grandchildren, Domino, Lux, Mackenzie, Trinity, Mia, Alexia, Andrew, and Cohen will continue to be blessed as they get to know their great grandmother through others.  She was loved by her family as a daughter, sister, sister-in-law, aunt and cousin.  And her friends, so many, each one of them held a special place in her heart.  The family thanks the staff at Spartanburg Hospital Restorative Care for their support and care they provided Joan and the family.  A funeral mass will be held at 11:00 a.m. at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church, 161 N. Dean Street, Spartanburg, SC. on Monday, February 17, 2014.  Rev. Timothy M. Gahan will be officiating. The family will receive friends after mass.   In remembrance of Joan contributions may be made to St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church; 161 N. Dean St., Spartanburg, SC 29302  or Mobile Meals; PO Box 461, Spartanburg, SC 29304.