Melvin Earl Ross

Melvin Earl Ross, born August 21, 1942 to Melvin Ebert and Darnella (Ware) Ross in Columbus, Ohio. Melvin was called from labor to rest June 4, 2019. Melvin was proceeded in death by both parents, brother and son. Melvin was a proud member of Oakley Full Gospel Baptist Church. He leaves to cherish his life Elder Lois Ross, wife, Michelle and Kevin Brown, Nicole, Leslie, Kiara Brown, Lois and Ayeshia Johnson, George and Luann Godfrey, more grandchildren, great grandchildren, cousins and people who he touched as only he could, childhood friends and friends. Melvin graduated from Central High School. He served as a proud Marine during the Viet Nam conflict and was combat wounded. Melvin worked for the department of corrections for 32 years serving at the same corrections center Southeast Correction Center in Lancaster Ohio. No one to this day has served at the same corrections center for their entire career till retirement. During those 32 years Melvin worked in food service the entire time. Melvin also worked at numerous other positions such as Ross labs and he owned his own cleaning business. Food, however, was his passion. During his membership at Oakley he served as a trustee, male chorus member, security ministry and was over the kitchen ministry for numerous years helping with the annual prayer breakfast, church cook outs and all food related occasions. As a trustee, he would give change as needed standing in the back of the church. His favorite saying when someone would bring him a $20.00 bill for change was "a twenty ain't nothing but change". Melvin loved to fish, travel, swim and have a good time. He taught all the girls to swim and we had an annual swim race which he always won even with my head start. He loved to garden, with the lawn and house plants his specialty. Melvin would take the old Sunday school books to SCI for the inmates to have bible study. We could not go into a restaurant or store without someone coming to him and saying how knowing him changed their life. How the skill of cooking learned from him while incarcerated gave them the grounding to become a cook, chef or even to be the husband, father and person they are today. When they would walk away, I would say, "inmate or officer" and he would say, many times not remembering the name but knowing the person. He often told me "God sent you to me". God sent us to each other. Melvin was my friend, my husband, a father to my children, a dedicated church member, dedicated son and friend to many. He is missed and well loved.