Melvin T Southerland

Melvin T. Southerland, son of Annie Southerland and the late Willie C. Southerland, was born July 23, 1956 in Brooklyn, New York.

Melvin’s spiritual nourishment was received at St. Paul Church of Christ, Disciples of Christ where he gave God his heart.  Melvin was a singer to his heart and sang with the Children's Choir, The Youth for Christ Choir and the Voices for Christ Choir.

Melvin was educated in the NYC public schools and graduated from Redirection High School.  After graduation Melvin attended Boston College and then New York City Community College (NYCC).

Melvin’s gift of singing always touched everyone that heard him sing.  No one could sing “No Cross, No Crown” the way that Melvin did.  I can hear the beginning of the song…”if you can’t stand a little disappointment, sometime…” but Melvin did not sing the song sounding like James Cleveland.  Melvin sang the song sounding like Al Green.  Melvin also sang R&B in various establishments in Brooklyn, NY sharing the billing along side Lenny Williams, the group GQ, and Evelyn Champagne King to name a few.

In the later years Melvin moved to High Point, NC, joined Living Water Baptist Church and the Male Chorus.  Melvin’s gift of song continued to bless everyone and Melvin felt so much love from his home Church and choir members.

Everyone can think of a memory of Melvin that will make you smile, laugh and say, “you cannot make this stuff up”

Melvin leaves to cherish his memories, his wife Debra, son Shomari Southerland (Irene), mother Ann Southerland, sister Chenise (Titus) Patterson of Baltimore, MD, grandson Shomari Jr., granddaughters Shorene and Shomya, nephews Andre Southerland, Adam Southerland, and niece Janae Southerland, sister-in-law Gwen Carter-Southerland, life long friends Christine Hayes, Mack, Evette Capers and Howie Neely, a large host of cousins that were more Sisters and Brothers than cousins, relatives and friends.

Mr. Melvin T. Southerland departed this life Wednesday, January 4, 2017 at his residence in High Point, NC.

A funeral service will be held Wednesday, January 11, 2017 at 12:30pm at Living Water Baptist Church in High Point, NC. Interment will follow in the Trinity United Methodist Church Cemetery (Highway #9 site) in  Bennettsville, SC.

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