Mellinger Hancock Beasley, age 101, passed away peacefully at his home in Mobile on Wednesday, June 20, 2018. Mel was born on August 23, 1916 to Charlie and Lillie Mellinger Beasley in Castleberry, Alabama. His siblings, all deceased, were Judson (Hazel) Beasley, Delana Beasley (Benjamin) Barlow, and Charlene Beasley (J. B.) Sasser.
Mel graduated from Flomaton High School in 1937 and lived in Pollard, Alabama until moving to Mobile in 1940 to work in the electrical industry. He established Beasley Electric Company and remained in business until he retired in 1981. He was a member of the National Electrical Contractors Association and a 77-year member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. Mel served as an instructor for many years in the IBEW apprenticeship program.
Mel met Georgene Cruit when she arrived in Pollard, Alabama as a young school teacher. They married in 1942. After retirement, Mel and Georgene restored a home in Pollard and enjoyed returning often to the place of their courtship. The couple were married for 64 years when Georgene died in 2008. They were active members of the Toulminville /Woodmont Baptist Church congregation and most recently members of Dauphin Way Baptist Church.
In addition to the loss of his wife and siblings, Mel was preceded in death by his grandson, Chad Reynolds. He is survived by two daughters, Sharron Beasley and Debra (Bill) Reynolds; granddaughters April (Tim) Speaks of Auburn and Jennifer (Eric) Plaisance of Vestavia Hills; great grandchildren, Jackson, Harrison, Griffin, and Sullivan Speaks, William and Lauren Plaisance, and Carter Weeks-Reynolds and his mother, Rachael Weeks. He is also survived by one sister-in-law, Delite Cruit of Gadsden, Alabama. Mel, the patriarch of a large Beasley family, is loved by a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends that he claims as family. Most special to Mel was his caregiver for over 13 years, Diesha Triplett. The family wishes to express gratitude to Dr. Thomas McGee and his staff, and to the nurses and caregivers of Springhill Hospice of Mobile.
Funeral services will be from Dauphin Way Baptist Church on Monday, June 25, 2018. Visitation will begin at 1 pm, with the funeral service scheduled at 3 pm. The graveside service will follow at Pine Crest Cemetery on Dauphin Island Parkway. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Alabama Baptist Children’s Home, P. O. Box 361767, Birmingham, Alabama 35236 or the charity of your choice.
