Melvin Samuel Pride Sr.

On February 16, 1946, Melvin Samuel Pride, Sr. was born to Willie and Armanda Pride in Blythe, CA. He was the 5th of 17 children. Melvin began high school at Palo Verde High in Blythe, CA and continued his high school education at Pacific High School in San Bernardino, CA where he graduated in 1964. While at Pacific High he was actively involved in the wrestling team where he received many honors and medals.

In 1962, at the age of 16 years old, he met the love of his life, 12 year old Linda Mae Thompson. Throughout the years they became and remained close friends and in 1965 they began dating and later married. Out of that union was born two children, Linda Shirlene Pride and Melvin Samuel Pride, Jr. In 1969 Melvin and Linda separated and divorced in 1972. He later married again and out of that union was born William Pride and

he also raised his step-daughter Sonia Jackson.

Melvin and Linda reunited in 1980 and remarried in 1982. Also in 1982 they became foster parents and later legal guardians of five children, Darren Crockett, Michael Pickett, John Tyree, Darla Garrett, Lonnie Alexander. Melvin also has two god-daughters Tracy Torrence and Gail Satterfield.

Melvin was a devoted Christian and served as a deacon at Lighthouse Full Gospel Church in Pasadena, CA. Melvin was an active member of the Mason Organization where he climbed to the level of 33 degree. Melvin worked for Mclane Food Service Distribution and retired after 40 years of faithful services.

Melvin is survived by his wife Linda Pride, four children Linda Brown, Melvin Pride, Jr., William Pride, Sonia Jackson, eight grandchildren, three great grandchildren, and seven sisters: Ola Bradford, Cynthia Miller, Wander Banks, Rebecca Freeman, Janet Pride, Loqutta Buckley, and RosaLee Thomas.

Melvin was preceded in death by his parents Willie and Armanda Pride, four brothers Willie Pride, Sr., Robert Pride, Sr., David Pride, Sr., Paul Anthony Pride, and three sisters Shirlene Anderson,

Sandra Jean Bradford, and Beverly Jean Pride.