Melvin Bridges

Melvin Bridges

Obituary

Melvin Bridges was born on November 13, 1940 in Powderly, Alabama, a village of Birmingham, Alabama to Willie Lee Bridges, Sr. and Carrie Bridges (nee Smith). Melvin was the 2nd child to this union.

The family left Birmingham, Alabama for Detroit, Michigan in 1957. In 1958, Melvin graduated from Eastern High School. He played football and ran track and field. The family fellowshipped with Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church under the pastorage of Reverend C.L. Stewart. After graduation, Melvin completed trade school with a certificate in Butchering. He worked for A&P Grocer for more than five years. Shortly, after high school, Melvin married Sarah. There were two sons born to the union, Robert and Richard. The sons preceded him in death. Melvin and Sarah later divorced and parted ways.

Melvin began working for General Motors in 1978 until the time of his retirement in 2004. In 1986, Melvin married Lela Gray. He fathered her four young children, Nora, Danette, Donald. and Monique. They were married for 39 years until Lela Bridges passing in 2012.

Melvin continued to serve as a deacon at the Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church for over 40 years. He sang in the men’s choir, was an active member in the Sunday School department, Bus ministry and many other auxiliaries. Melvin was an wonderful person with a vigor for life. He was an avid bowler and golfer, always ready to hit the links.

He is preceded in death by his parents Willie Sr and Carrie, his siblings, Willie Jr, Lawrence, Terri Ann and LeRoy, his beloved wife, Lela and his son, Donald.