Hartford Jeffrey Melvin

Durham Hartford Jeffrey Melvin, 78, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his family on April 12, 2008. He was born in Fayetteville the son of the late Harvey Lester and Bessie Christian McDonald Melvin. A Korean War Veteran, Mr. Melvineerved with the 82nd Airborne. A graduate of Elon College and South Easterneeminary, he served as Associate Pastor of several churches including Bonee Doone, Second Baptist, and Grey Stone Baptist. He also served as Senior Pastor for Mars Hills Baptist Church Hillsborough, NC and Hocutt Memorial Clayton, NC. After early retirement, Reverend Melvin continued serving as a Deacon and teaching Sunday school at both First Baptist and Grey Stone Baptist Church in Durham. He treasured his beloved Church Family, Fellowship Bible Class, Skeeter Humphreys Class, family, special friends, nephews and nieces. Additionally, as an avid eneepreneur, he owned and operated several businesses. He served in neerous leadership roles in various professional associations. Most recently, he was a member of the Durham Civitan Club and Retired Military Police Association. He valued his Christian faith and Civic commitment which guided his actions. Mr. Melvin is survived by his beloved wife of 56 years, Betty Beck Melvin, twin daughters, Jenneer Melvin Pifer and Pamela Melvin Sater Richard, grandchildren, Richard Sater, Jr., Cassidy Alyssa Melvin Sater and Alexander Wellingtoneelvin Pifer, sisters, Lenora Mullins Mac, Agnes Melvin, Barbara Garzoneernando, Mary Miller Dalton and Mystra Tyndall Troy, sister-in-laws, Betty Melvin aneeunee Melvin and neerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded ineeath by five brothers, Daniel, A.F. Bud, Aaron, Neil and Winifred. The family would like to thank the nursing and medical staff at the Durham VA Medical Center as well as many friends of the family for their loving care and support. A Celebration of Life will be held at 2:00 PM, Tuesday, April 15, 2008 from Grey Stone Baptist Church. Members of the Fellowship Bible Class and Skeeter Humphreys Class are kindly asked to serve as honorary pallbearers. The family will receive guests at Hall-Wynne Funeral Home Monday evening from 6:00 8:00 PM and other times at the home. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 22718, Oklahoma City, OK 73123 or the building fund at Grey Stone Baptist Church, 2601 Hillsborough Road, Durham, NC 27705. On-line memorials: www.hallwynne.com. Select obituaries.