Melvin Franklin Cage

Melvin Franklin Cage, 65 years old, was born to Robie Lee Bynum and Ernest Hampton Cage, Sr. on July 26, 1954; both preceded him in death. He was the thirteenth child of fifteen children. Melvin had a fraternal twin sister, Mae Frances Cage Thomas, who also preceded him in death.

Melvin graduated from Hamilton High School, where he developed a talent and love for crafts and wood-working. He could build anything, and anyone could see the artistic talent that he possessed. Melvin loved music of all kinds. He had reel-to-reel tapes, cassettes, CDs, 8-tracks, 45’s and 78’s. He had the music of many famous performers; old and new, from blues to soul to jazz to rock.

Melvin married Valda Lewis soon after graduating from high school, and from this union, one daughter was born, Kimberly Cage. Melvin worked at some of the best companies in Memphis: Timken Manufacturing, Malone and Hyde, and retired with twenty-five years of service from YRC Freight (formerly known as Roadway).

Melvin leaves to honor and celebrate his homegoing, two daughters, Valeria Draine (Terry) and Kimberly Cage; two grandchildren, Ashley Butler and Joshua Draine; four brothers, Willie Lee

Cage, Robert Lee Cage, Arthur James Cage (Vera), and Sam Cage (Viola); four sisters, Susie M. Barnes (James), Roberta S. Riley (Joseph), Jean Carol Franklin (Hayward) and Jane Caren Wright; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.