Mickey Lee Melvin of Riverview, Florida, went home to be with the Lord on May 16, 2022, at the age of 55 after spending a wonderful weekend surrounded by his family and close friends.

Mickey was born on November 10, 1966, to father, Lee Melvin and mother, Faye Shaw in Sampson County, North Carolina. In 2003, Mickey married his lovely wife of 19 years, Clarissa at First Baptist Church Denbigh in Hampton, Virginia, and his daughter, Brittany was a wonderful bonus to the marriage. After graduating from Westover High School in Fayetteville, NC in 1985 and retiring from the military, he obtained his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science at McKendree University and his Master of Science in Human Resource Management at Lindenwood University. He received the Pi Gamma Mu Honors – Social Sciences Community and the Veterans & First Responder Honors. Mickey proudly served in the United States Air Force for over 26 years and retired honorably in April 2012. Throughout his time in service, Mickey achieved rank as Senior Master Sergeant, and was authorized to wear over 17 awards and decorations, including the Meritorious Service Medal. During his military career and after retirement, Mickey was ordained as a Minister and later a Pastor in Illinois where he pastored for 9 years.

Mickey was a wonderful, devoted husband who loved to take excursions, trustworthy and close father/pop, and a playful and beloved grandfather. He was a faithful and loving son to his parents, a great big brother to his sibling and a cherished cousin, nephew, and friend. Mickey had a great faith, and if you were around him for a few minutes, he was going to talk about the goodness of the Lord. Mickey had a quick wit and although he had a serious side, those who knew him saw the humor and love for life. Mickey LOVED his family; he was definitely a family man. He was the glue to so many relationships, protective and dependable. He loved visiting family and talking about the "good ole days… when we were kids." Mickey adored his grandchildren and enjoyed telling them Bible stories as well as stories of his life growing up. He was loved and respected by so many people for his kindness, faithfulness, honesty, loyalty, and being an all-around good guy. It's like a piece of a puzzle is missing.

Mickey is survived by his wife, Clarissa Beryl Hardeman Melvin; his mother, Faye Sinclair Shaw (John), his father, Lee Andrew Melvin; his brother and family, Chris Eugene and Bronica Melvin (nieces Julisa, Dee Dee, Crystal, stepdaughters Sade and Cherelle) sister, Empress Melvin; his daughter and son-in-law, Brittany Nicole and Travis Marquis Perry and two grandchildren, Taliyah Monee Perry and Bronson Alexander Perry; his mother and father-in-law; Elizabeth Pearl and Jesse Lee (deceased) Hardeman; his brother-in-law, Jesse Lee Hardeman Jr., his sister-in-law and family, Vera Denise and Duane Adam Maxwell (nephews, Myles Gerrell, Adam Duane). He is also mourned by his aunts, uncles, cousins, and a wonderful group of friends.

Even though this is hard for Mickey's loved ones, we know he is walking on the street of the city (that is) pure gold, as it were transparent, and he is watching over us as well as praying for us. We will see him again on the cloud when Jesus returns. That we take comfort and hold on to our faith.

A "Celebration of Life Service" will be held Wednesday, May 25 from 10:00 – 11:00am at the Serenity Meadows Memorial Park Funeral Home at 6919 Providence Road, Riverview, FL 33578. The Graveside Service will be held Wednesday, May 25 from 2:00 – 2:30pm at the Florida National Cemetery at 6502 SW 102 ^nd Ave, Bushnell, FL 33513. The Visitation will be Tuesday, May 24 from 6:00 – 8:00pm. The services will be conducted by the church family of Rivers of Life Church Ministries.

In Lieu of Flowers please consider a donation in Mickey's name to St. Jude's Children Research Hospital http://giftfunds.stjude.org/ MickeyMelvin

The family of Mickey Melvin wants to thank everyone for their love and support during his illness and his homegoing. His love for God and for others was felt by so many. One of Mickey's favorite scriptures was Matthew 6:33, But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. That is our prayer for all, that we seek God first. We thank you and ask that each time  you think of Mickey, think of the goodness of the Lord. Again, thank you for your love and support.

Afterglow - Unknown

I'd like the memory of me to be a happy one.

I'd like to leave an afterglow of smiles when life is done.

I'd like to leave an echo whispering softly down the ways,

Of happy times and laughing times and bright and sunny days.

I'd like the tears of those who grieve, to dry before the sun;

Of happy memories that I leave when life is done.