Thelma Pauline Melton
Missing since September 25, 1981 from the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee.
Classification: Endangered Missing

Vital Statistics

• Date Of Birth: 1923
• Age at Time of Disappearance: 58 years old
• Height and Weight at Time of Disappearance: 5'11"; 170-180 lbs.
• Distinguishing Characteristics: Auburn hair; brown eyes. She wears eyeglasses.
• Medical Conditions: Melton was overweight, suffered from high blood pressure and nausea, and took medication for these ailments.
• Clothing: Melton was last seen wearing a white and pink sleeveless striped blouse, tan polyester pants and tan, low cut, size 8 1/2 shoes with crepe soles. The left soul had a crack across the ball of the foot, which would have given distinctive footprints. She also had with her Virginia Slims cigarettes, a diamond studded white gold wristwatch and a wedding bank.
• AKA: Polly

Circumstances of Disappearance
On September 25, 1981 Polly Melton was hiking Deep Creek Trail in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park together with two friends. On the hike back she walked ahead of the others and disappeared. She had hiked this trail for almost 20 years.

Prior to hiking, Polly had prepared sauce for the spaghetti she intended to cook for supper and had taken a short nap. If she took money, identification, or medicine with her, these items had been concealed from her friends. Polly was barred from driving that summer, so she had no car keys.

No one in Polly's family could believe she would leave of her own free will and fear she met with foul play.

Investigators
If you have any information concerning this case, please contact:

National Park Service
828-497-1940

Agency Case Number: 81-3356

Source Information:
Smoky Mountain Disappearances
NamUs MP #14284
"Unsolved Disappearances in the Great Smoky Mountains", by Juanitta Baldwin. 2001

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