Melvin Blakley, Sr.

“PRAISE HIM WITH THE SOUND OF TGE TRUMPET; PRAISE HIM WITH THE PSALTERY AND HARP.  PRAISE HIM WITH TIMBREL AND DANCE; PRAISE HIM WITH STRINGED INSTRUMENTS AND ORGANS.”-Psalm 150:3-4. 
 

MELVIN BLAKLEY was born on March 5, 1952 to the late Wilmer Blakley, Sr. and Viola Bell-Blakley of Waynesboro, MS. Also preceding him in death is one brother: Willie Fred Blakley of Wiggins, MS and one sister:  Erma Jean Henry of Deland, FL. 

Melvin attended Waynesboro Riverview School of Waynesboro, MS .  He was a member of Old St. Paul Baptist Church from a very young age, where he played the lead guitar until his death. Over the years, he was a guitarist for numerous groups and choirs which earned him the name, “Guitar Man”. He worked at Long Leaf sawmill until he became disabled. Melvin enjoyed gardening, playing his guitar, and most of all, he enjoyed loving on his grandchildren, especially his great grandchildren. 
 

Melvin leaves to cherish a devoted and loving wife of 44 years:  Earlean Brown-Blakley; three children:  Lasongia (Mario) Bell and Melvin (Denise) Blakley, both of Waynesboro, MS, and Monica (Quentin) Blakley of Hattiesburg, MS.  He was also blessed with five grandchildren:  Keneshia, Kandashia, Akevein, Taylor, and Tyler; two step grandsons:  Jaquavius and Azavius. He also has four great grandchildren: Legend “Tikaboo”, Kaysen “Wiggler”, Kylie, and Ky’Aubree “Lady-Bird.”

Melvin leaves to cherish five brothers:  Johnnie Lee Blakley, Wilmer (Toni) Blakley Jr., Billy Joe (Emma) Blakley and Ray Preston Blakley, all of Waynesboro MS, and Larry (Shirley) Blakley of Shuqualak, MS. He also leaves three sisters:  Bernice Arrington of Wiggins, MS, Erma Lee Gray of Boston, MA, and Annie Mary Blakley of Waynesboro, MS, and a host of nieces and nephews. 
 

Funeral services were held Tuesday, August 1, 2023 at 2:00 PM at Old St. Paul Baptist Church in Waynesboro, MS, with Rev. John Gray, Sr. officiating. Interment followed at St. John Cemetery. 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Melvin Blakley, Sr., please visit our floral store.