Melvin Rae Ebbs

EBBS, Melvin Rae, 94, left his earthly body to be present with the Lord on October 24, 2026.  He was born February 8, 1932 to Charles and Dora Ebbs of Carbondale, Illinois.  He married Marta Rae Richardson on June 27, 1958 and they had three children, Michael, Mitchell (Susan), and Melinda.  There are six grandchildren, Emily, Joseph, Nicholas, Celia, Annabella, and Dennis.

The funeral will be held 11am Wednesday, October 28, 2026 with visitation from 6:00 to 8:00pm the day before. Funeral and visitation will be at Swartz Funeral Home, 1225 West Hill Road, Flint. Rev. Steven Curtis and Rev. Wendell Wood officiating.  Burial will be at Great Lakes National Cemetery in Holly, MI.

Melvin was educated at the University School of Southern Illinois University and went on to get his degree from SIU.  He was always involved in sports, lettering year after year in football, basketball and baseball.  The family sport which he so enjoyed was “washers”. Mel served in Southern Baptist churches faithfully all his life.  In Illinois, Kentucky, Missouri, Texas and here in Michigan.  He was a Deacon in the church and a generous supporter of missions around the world. He served in Korea with the Illinois National Guard and stayed on extra time to help build Freedom Village. He worked for Buick Motor Division of General Motors, starting in Houston, Texas and moving to the Flint offices in 1972. He loved the years he traveled for them in South Texas.

Mel is predeceased by his parents and the following brothers (and sisters in law): Bert (Anita), Frank (Eva), Robert (Sally), William, Edward (Mary Jo), John Dale (Dorothy), and Maurice and by two sisters (and brothers in law): his twin Nellie Shepherd (Jack) and Maureen Cason (Jim), and also by sister in law Betty. His youngest brother, Rev. Jim Ebbs survives.  He is also survived by two sisters in law, PokSun Ebbs, and Kay Richardson Heil along with many nieces and nephews.

He leaves a host of friends, especially those at Heritage Baptist Church of Grand Blanc.

Any donations may be made to Heritage Baptist Church; Lottie Moon Offering.

A good man who lived a long and blessed life and who will be sorely missed.