To view the funeral service on Monday, June 1, 2026, at 1:00pmEST, please use the following link:

https://webcast.funeralvue.com/events/viewer/122577 

Melvin Harrell Edmonds was born to the late Eva Edmonds and Owen Campbell on June 29, 1939. He attended Crestwood School in Chesapeake. At the early age of 19, Melvin decided to join the United States Army, where he proudly served our country. Once he was honorably discharged from the military, he started a lengthy career at Old Dominion Peanut Company where he met the love of his life, Rosa Lee. They would later marry on his birthday in 1986.

Melvin and Rosa Lee were true soulmates. After Rosa Lee’s passing in September 2024, Melvin never accepted that his wife was in Heaven. He always would ask about her and call out her name. Ironically, they missed each other so much that he joined her in eternal life on May 20th, her birthday. Later that evening, his sister, Marian Edmonds, was also called home. He is also now reunited with his brothers Luther Edmonds, Raymond Edmonds, Booker T. Edmonds, Joseph Edmonds (Peterson), and Dennis Edmonds; sisters Addie Mae Smaw, Sarah Franklin, Margaret Richardson, Reva Lambert and Barabara Jean Edmonds. He is survived by one sister, Eva Edmonds. He is also survived by one daughter, Christal King, and stepchildren Hope Coffey, Bridgette Stephen, Zalina Parker and Jesse King. They were all special to him and had a place in his heart. He leaves to cherish his memory, 12 grandchildren; Carlos (Latasha), Rodney (Verneshia), Darryl, Shanika, William (Robin), Bryant, Erika, Ra’Quan, Cher’Ree, Cherysh, Jeanette, and Chris and a host of great grandchildren, nieces, nephews and family and friends.

Melvin enjoyed spending time with family, watching sports and his good ole westerns. At family functions you would definitely catch him in front of a camera or behind one. Melvin loved to laugh and joke around. He always thought he was incredibly strong. Because of his big personality, he would tell wild stories. Some of the stories seemed too wild to be true, but he would repeat them often, so they had to be true. (I guess we will never know). He loved his Cadillac and maintaining a beautiful lawn. He would sit in a chair in the front lawn of his home in Poplar Halls and wave as cars passed by. He will always be remembered for wearing cowboy boots and hats and of course the “jerry curl”. Before succumbing to health issues, Melvin would make daily trips to Jr. Market to play his numbers.

Melvin retired early from Old Dominion Peanut Company to spend more time with his grandchildren, Erika, Ra’Quan, Cher’Ree and Cherysh. He would pick them up from school and greet them with snacks and some Otis Redding, Temptations, or similar artists playing in the car. He smothered them all with love and gifts. They were all the light in his eyes, but Ra’Quan had a special place in his heart. He thought Ra’Quan was his child and Ra’Quan reciprocated the feeling by calling him “DAD.”