Elder Mel Cartwright

Melbourne Constantine Cartwright, fondly known as “Mel”, “Secret Pal”, and most lovingly, “Daddy” or “Dad”, passed away peacefully into the tender and loving arms of Jesus whom he loved so dearly, even with his last consciousness and breath, on Friday, August 16, 2024.

Mel was born October 18, 1930, and was the 5th of 8 children born to Solomon and Albertine Cartwright. He remained at his birth home in Amiel Town, St. Mary, Jamaica. Mel’s parents were active members of the local Seventh-Day Adventist church, and like his parents, he at an early age became actively involved in church activities. Who knew that with this early start, he was being prepared for a lifetime of service in the SDA church. He held offices in various departments of the church: Secretaries of AY(MV) Department, Sabbath School, and Personal Ministry; other offices include Sabbath School teacher, Head Sabbath School Superintendent, Personal Ministry Leader, Stewardship Leader, Stewardship Leader, Investment Program Leader, Prayer Band Leader, Family Life Leader, Head Deacon, Church Treasurer, and Head Elder. In his recollection of offices held in church work over the years, he said, “The only office I did not fill was that of being the Church Clerk”.

Every child growing up at home, thinks of one day leaving the home nest. For some it is sooner than later, while some would prefer it to be later than sooner. For Mel, the desire came at age 18 years. He said goodbye to St. Mary and ventured off to the Parish of St. Andrew, an adjacent Parish to St. Mary. There, he established himself and of course he found a home church in the new City: The Shortwood SDA church. After some time at Shortwood church, Mr. Mel met one Ruby Bennett, and later married her. This union produced three lovely daughters; Annette, Elaine, and Sonia.

The search for greener pastures to improve the quality of life for a family man, led Mel to migrate to London, England in 1961. After sojourning there for eight years, in 1969 he migrated to the United States. Upon arriving in the USA, he made Patterson, New Jersey his first hometown for several years. While working in the healthcare field, he decided to return to school; he attended nursing school and graduated as a Licensed Practical Nurse in 1976. As life would have it, he as Ruby divorced. He kept himself busy with his nursing career and church work.

In 1987 he met Mavis Buchanan and later made her his wife in 1988. Between them both, they inherited each other’s children; his three daughters (Annette, Elaine, and Sonia), her three children (Ann-Marie, Denise, and son, Chester). Together they decided to move to Houston, Texas, where they worked and attended a couple of SDA churches but made First Missouri City Seventh-Day Adventist Church their permanent home church. While in Houston, they became acquainted with a fellow Adventist Brother (Dr. Ed Dewar) who became their family Dentist and adopted Mel as his “Dad”. After eight years of abiding in the Houston area, Mel and Fay (as she is affectionally called) moved to the sunshine State of Florida. The City of Tampa was chosen to be the home base. Specifically, they lived on a Street called “Idlewild”, to which one Houstonian (Texas) friend remarked, “Only people who have nothing to do, live on a street with such a name”. That was not true of Mel or Fay because they both worked until they finally retired. He because of health issues, and she, to take care of him and things that he could no longer engage in. With church work embedded in his DNA, he and Fay made the Town and Country SDA Church and Westside Community SDA Church their home churches, where he served at one time as Head Elder.

Those who have had the opportunity to rub shoulders with Mel, found him to be a man of principle; and when it comes to Spiritual things, he would not compromise the noble values that God expects us to live by as Christians. On the lighter side of life, he was a socially pleasing person to be around. He loved to entertain by providing Sabbath luncheons and on other occasions also, at his home. He would say that however many individuals that will come, there will be enough food to feed everyone. His cooking skills gave Fay a big break from the kitchen. We can’t say enough about his meticulously coordinated clothing styles. He was always looking smart and well-groomed for church and special occasions. He also had a love for travel, domestic and international. He never met a stranger, and was giving to a fault.

Mel had the gift of speaking, reciting from memory some of the longest poems. He also loved singing the good old Gospel songs. One of those Poems which I have heard him deliver with passion and persuasiveness was written by Douglas Malloch and it goes like this:

Be the Best of Whatever You Are

If you can’t be a pine at the top of the hill, be a shrub in the valley, but be The best little shrub on the side of the rill; Be a bush if you can’t be a tree.

If you can’t be a bush, be a bit of the grass, Some highway the happier make; If you can’t be a muskie, then just be a bass - but the liveliest bass in the lake!

We can’t all be the captain, Some must be the crew, There is something for all of us here. There’s the big work to do, and there’s the lesser to do, And the task that is ours is the near.

If you can’t be a highway then just be a trail, If you can’t be the sun, be a star; For it isn’t by the size that you win or you fail - Be the best of whatever you are!

Mel Cartwright strove to be the best in whatever he did. No wonder he made as his favorite Bible texts the following: Proverbs 3:5,6…..”Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; And lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, And he will direct thy paths.”

Micah 6:8…..”He hath shewed, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God.”

Many were attracted to him because of who he exemplified (Jesus). Some adopted him as Dad, thus adding to him son and daughters; Some shared him as Uncle Mel, thus giving him more nieces and nephews; some embraced him as brother, of like precious faith; those that are of the inner circle, found in him that courage like Joshua, the perseverance of Jacob, the decisiveness of Moses, above reproach like Daniel, prayerful like Elijah, and God-like as Enoch. There are so many individuals who have touched the deceased’s life that are worthy of personal mention, but God knows every act of kindness which you brought his way; and He has a blessing for you. Mel has expressed in no uncertain terms, how blessed he was to have the best in-law Family, the Morgan family.

The total effect and impact of Mel’s life will never be known. God has calculated every detail and when our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ returns to take us home, Mel will undoubtedly be handsomely rewarded for his years of dedication to God and his family, loved ones, and friends. His stepson, Chester, predeceased him. Mel is survived by his wife Mavis (Fay) of 36 years, three daughters Annette, Elaine, Sonia, and sons-in-law, two step-daughters, Ann-Marie, Denise, and sister Gloria, brother Arckland, sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, 9 grand-children, 6 great-grandchildren, 4 great-great grand-children, nieces and nephews, a number of Adopted children, his beloved church family at Westside SDA and Town and Country Churches, and a host of other relatives, loved ones, and friends.

“There is a time, we know not when, a point, we know not where,

That marks the destiny of men, for glory or despair….” J. A. Alexander

Yes, our brother Mel came to that time and point on August 16, 2024. Because he made Jesus his all in all, we are sure his destiny will be for glory when his Lord awakens him from his sleep.

“We Have This Hope”. Rest In Peace.