What do you say about someone whose been your friend and a part of your life for over 50 years? Melvin and I became friends when he and his family would frequent my grandparents cafe, Wade’s Cafe. We grew up together on Magnolia Street and also attended the same church, Macedonia Baptist Church. From those days of hamburgers, chili dogs and sitting on the bench, we developed a close friendship. Two of the strong bonds we shared were our love for God and music, gospel, R and B, and jazz. We shared so many songs and CDs together, but the one song that will always remain special to me is “My Soul Has Been Anchored in the Lord,” which he sang when he preached his first sermon. The Spirit worked it where my parents and I were in Houston at that time for The National Baptist Congress, and we were able to attend, and then break bread with Melvin, Brenda and his family afterwards at their home. When the calls became less frequent I knew something was wrong because he would always check on us. My heart has been sad because I wasn’t physically able to attend the beautiful services, but as Mom and I were riding on April 9th, the song My Soul Has Been Anchored began to play on the radio. As the tears began to flow, I smiled because I knew that was his way of letting me know, “It’s ok, everything is alright because my soul is and has been anchored in the Lord.” You were a one of a kind individual with wisdom beyond your years. May God continue to bless you Brenda, Christopher, Jeremy, your grandchildren, siblings, other family members, and those of us who had an opportunity to share time and space with Melvin. To God Be the Glory.
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