Melvin Wayne Bess

Melvin was born September 2, 1939 in Nashville, Tennessee. He passed from this life to his heavenly home on November 5th, 2023 with his whole family present surrounding his bedside. He was 84 years old. Melvin proudly served in the United States Marines 1957 to 1962.

Melvin graduated from Cumberland High School in 1957. He graduated from the University of Tennessee with Highest Honors, Summa Cum Laude in Electrical Engineering. He was employed by

Nashville Electric Service (NES) for 45 years, serving in a variety of leadership positions.

Melvin was a dedicated Christian, member of First Baptist Goodlettsville and serving the Lord in many capacities: deacon, Sunday School Teacher, Church Personnel Committee and Finance chairman. He faithfully made missions trips to Chile where he led the building project of a new girl’s orphanage in the city of Temuco.

He also made many trips for mission projects to Lynch, Kentucky in the Appalachian regions of great poverty.

He was an avid UT Vol Football fan and held season tickets for 25 years. He enjoyed playing golf, fishing, and traveling on Carnival Cruises with his wife and family.

He was married to the #1 love of his life Ruth Bess. They were the proud parents of two children Rev. Melvin Wayne Bess Jr. and Kathy Bess Locke. They were blessed with six wonderful grandchildren and (10) great grandchildren.

He is preceded in death by his parents : Orvan Almer and Flora Irene Bess, Brothers: Gary, Harold and Roger Bess, a sister Juanita Bess and grandson Matthew Wayne Bess.

He is survived by his wife of 66 years- Ruth, son Wayne (Teresa) Daughter Kathy Bess Locke (Jeff), grandchildren Melissa Bess Terrell (Leslie), Melody Bess Cothern (Daniel), Alan Locke (Kathyrn),

Andy Locke (Itsai), Alexis Locke Williamson (Turner) and 10 great grandchildren, Brothers Wesley Bess (Martha), James Bess (Isabel), David Bess (Jennifer), Best friend Rev. Jerry Heflin and a host of nieces, nephews, and friends. He believed strongly in his Faith and Family. He will be greatly missed and never forgotten!

Pallbearers: Nathan Bess, Daniel Cothern, Jackson Cothern, Alan Locke, Andy Locke, and Turner Williamson.

A visitation for Melvin will be held Thursday, November 9, 2023 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM and Friday, November 10, 2023 from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM at Forest Lawn Funeral Home.

A a celebration of live will be Friday, November 10, 2023 at 1:00 PM in the chapel of Forest Lawn Funeral Home with Rev. Wayne Bess, Jr., and Rev. Jerry Heflin officiating.

Burial will be in Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens Garden of Love.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.ForestLawnFuneral-Goodlettsville.com for the Bess family.