Rev. Dr. Melvin R. Boone, 77, died Friday, May 22, 2009.
A native of Gates County, he received his Bachelors Degree from Shaw University and his Doctrine in Divinity Degree from Virginia Seminary and College.
Rev. Boone was a public school teacher for the school districts of Suffolk, Virginia Beach and Norfolk.
He was called into the ministry where in 1953 he was selected as pastor of First Baptist Church Creedmoor. He has also served churches in Portsmouth, Franklin, Virginia Beach and Suffolk, VA; the latter (Metropolitan Baptist Church) for 34 years before retiring. He served as Pastor Emeritus of that church until his time of death.
He served as the 14th President of Virginia Seminary and College in Lynchburg, Virginia as well as the Director of Development and Planning. He also served as the President/CEO of the Melvin R. Boone Foundation.
Rev. Boone was also a member of Prince Hall Mason and Civil Queen Lodge.
He is survived by his wife, Dr. Ruth Lamb Boone.
Rev. Boone will be on view from 12 noon until 8 p.m. on Tuesday, May 26 at Metropolitan Baptist Church, Suffolk, VA. The family will receive visitors at the residence at all other times.
Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, May 27 at Tabernacle Christian Church with Rev. Dr. Leonard Smith, President of Virginia Baptist State Convention, as the eulogist and Rev. Dr. Robert L. Hobbs, pastor of Metropolitan Baptist Church, as the officiator. Burial will follow at Meadowbrook Memorial Gardens.
T.E. Cooke-Overton Funeral Home, Inc, Suffolk, is handling the arrangements.