To everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under the Heaven; a time to be born and a time to die; a time to plant and a time to pluck up that which is planted.

Belma "Nana" Mellette China, a daughter of the late Cleveland Mellette, Sr. and Gladys Conyers Mellette was born March 8, 1946 in the Paxville Community. She was preceded in death by a sister, Minnie Ruth Smith, two brothers Arthur Mellette and Cleveland Mellette, Jr.

She received her formal education in the public schools of Clarendon County. IN her youth, she accepted Christ as her personal Savior and joined Zion Hill Baptist Church where she was active and dedicated member and sang on the Chancel Choir. Later, she joined Fourth Crossroad Church, under the leadership of Pastor G. K. Carter, where she served on the Helping Hand Ministry, the Missionary Ministry and the Children Mentor Ministry. With her kind and gentle spirit, she enjoyed helping others in any way she could.

"Belma" was a loving daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin, and friend. She enjoyed cooking collard greens, potato salad, and many more delicious dishes. Her hobby was going to church and spending time with her family.

She was employed at Briggs Nursing Home (Windsor Manor) for a number of years until her health failed.

She was joined into matrimony to Willie China. This union was blessed with eight children; precedes her in death.

On Tuesday morning, April 10, 2018, God almighty called His servant, Belma Mellette China, home at McLeod Regional Medical Center in Florence, SC.

She leaves to cherish her fond and precious memories to her loving husband, Willie China of the home; loving children: Tonie (Sharon) Mellette, Sherlyn Riley both of Manning, SC, Willie China, Jr. (Tiffany) of Texas, Carolyn (Weldon) China, Jeffrey (Christina) China, and Gregory (Betsy) China all of New York; one sister, Mrs. Naomi Franklin of Sumter, SC;; a grandmother, Mrs. Jessie Kelly of Manning, SC;; children she reared as her own: Stacey Winn, Stephanie Pugh, Ashley Pugh, Dewayne (Tiffany) Mellette, Precious Heyward, David Farmer, Christopher Mellette, Virginia Conyers, Marion Mellette, Donna Smith, Jacob Heyward, Esau Heyward, Deloris (Stanley) Brunson and Mary Wilder; twenty-five grandchildren; fourteen great-grandchildren; a son-in-law, Dana Pugh; two special sisters-in-law, Judy Mellette of Sanford, NC and Susan Mellette of Sumter, SC one uncle, Timothy (Minnie) Pugh of North Carolina; three brothers-in-law: Johnny (Gloria) China, Ricky China, and Larry China; five sisters-in-law: Deloris Vaughn, Mary (Joseph) Sumpter, Barbara Conyers, Leslie (Stanley) Brunson, Willie Mae (Raphael); a special caregiver, Wendy Franklin; and a host of nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by two daughters Brenda Dell Pugh and Theresa China; one son, Jeremiah Heyward, Jr.; and three brothers-in-law: Tommy China, Jay China, and Lawson China, Jr.

Public Viewing will be held on Saturday, April 14, 2018 from 2-6pm at Job's Mortuary.

Mrs. China will be placed in the church on Sunday, April 15, 2018 at 1pm for viewing until the hour of service.

Funeral Services will be held at 2pm on Sunday, April 15, 2018 at Salem Chapel & Heritage Center, 101 S. Salem Avenue Sumter, SC 29150, with Pastor G. K. Carter, Officiating.

Interment will follow in Fourth Crossroads Baptist Church Cemetery.

Family will receive friends at her residence, 3551 Paxville Hwy Manning, SC.