Melvin, began his journey on October 4, 1952. He was born to the late Branch and Martha Hendricks, the 3rd of 5 children. He was baptized and joined Sulphur Spring Baptist Church at an early age. He was a graduate of Prince Edward County High School in 1971. He was employed at Winn Dixie in Farmville, VA from high school and became the Produce Manager. If you shopped at Winn Dixie he educated you on the fundamentals of healthy produce until his health resigned him home.

Melvin, was blessed to have lived his entire life in a home that was built from the ground up by the hands of his father where every board and nail was embedded and labored with love. It was to house his family with an open door to welcome all our family, friends and community. Unselfishly, it was this home where Melvin cared for his father “Branch”

making it possible for him to live out his life in the comfort of the home he built surrounded by all the memories of his life. When the day came that Melvin was the sole member of his household, the door remained open, where he continued to welcome us all whether it was for a “minute” or whether it was for a “moment”.

Melvin “Chief” as he was lovingly called, became a member of the ThePeacemakers Club of Prospect, VA where he enjoyed being part of a club that supported the community and allowed him the opportunity to be his expressfulself with family and members of the community. To make an impact, to be supportive in life it does not cost a dime all you have to do is “show up”. For every family event good, bad, happy, or sad; Melvin would show up to lay his hand where it would do some good or give direction and his special verbal approval. A slice of pie, zucchini bread with a side of ice cream and a bowl of potato salad is all the fuel he would need to stick with you until the end. We all know that a conversation with Melvin was never complete until he sealed it with a quoted verse from a song. He had that gift to find the appropriate verse to match every situation. His presence and knack for showing up will leave a void we will never overcome.