Melvin Holmes

Melvin Holmes was born October 9, 1941 to the late Albertha Johnson Narcisse in Hahnville, Louisiana. Melvin heeded the Master’s calling and ended his battle with cancer early Sunday morning October 9, 2011, he was 70 years old. As an only child Melvin was raised by Mrs. Carrie Narcisse and Junis Alexander.

Educated at Killona Elementary, Melvin earned his high school diploma from George Washington Carver High School, and went on to attend Southern University of Baton Rouge where he received a degree in business. Shortly thereafter he enlisted in the United States Army and served in the Vietnam War, and was later honorably discharged.

Learning to live life after the military, he maintained long term employment driving cross country with United Van Lines, and Saia Trucking Company. After years of seeing the world from the driver’s seat of his cab and unable to just sit at home, he began working for Xavier University of Louisiana, where he would often speak to and hold conversations with anyone who made eye contact. Everyone will always remember Melvin as an avid sports fan, who was always eager to yell “WHO DAT” for his beloved New Orleans Saints.

Victory soon became his when Melvin rediscovered that there was no better place to be than under the covering of the Lord and reaccepted Christ as the leader of his life when he was baptized at Bountiful Blessing Full Gospel Ministries in February 1998. From then, on Melvin remained an active member of Mount Herman Baptist Church in Avondale, Louisiana, and later followed the leadership of Dr. Ed Montgomery at Abundant Life Cathedral until God called him home.

Intelligence had always been one of Melvin’s stronger qualities, and this was further proven when he met and married the love of his life, his devoted wife of 20 years, Berelyn H. Holmes. There were no children born of this union, but his 3 stepchildren Raynell, Levin Jr., and Charlene loved him very dearly. Melvin also leaves to mourn one, son-in-law John Wallace, and one daughter-in-law, Kim Hunter. Also cherishing his memory are his favorite cousin Fannie Carey, his godchild Roxanne Carey, Cynthia Mollaire, whom he viewed as a sister, two uncles Nathaniel Narcisse of Lancaster, California, and Calvin Narcisse of Luling, Louisiana. “Mel-Mel” as he was lovingly called, also leaves 9 grandchildren, three of which he raised from birth as his own (Darius, Jonathan, and Kylin), and 9 great grandchildren. Lastly he leaves a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives, and friends.

Never suspecting that God saw him getting weary, Melvin continued until his very last moments to love and be loved by friends and family near and far.