Mr. Melvin Stewart

Melvin Seab Stewart was born into this world as Melvin Seab Clark in East Liverpool, Ohio to Katie Clark and Bryant Ellis (Jack) Perkins on September 30, 1942. Melvin was lovingly adopted by his stepfather, Rudy Stewart, at the age of 5 and his name was changed from Melvin Clark to Melvin Stewart. Melvin is survived by his wife of over 30 years, Ethel Mae Stewart, ten children Melvin Green II of Detroit, Michigan; Chris Herndon of Phoenix, Arizona; Camille Green of Farmington Hills, Michigan; Sheryl Knott of Redford, Michigan; Adreamia Murphy of Detroit, Michigan; Warren Stewart (Tonja) of Alexandria, Virginia; Derek Stewart (Lanell) of Washington, DC; Stacy Stewart (Shelly) of Virginia Beach, Virginia; Kory Stewart of New York, New York; and Angela Stewart of Washington, DC.; and three stepchildren, Charles Alford IV (Riva) of Temple Hills, Maryland; Brian Alford of Washington, DC; and Carol Alford (Meka) of Alpharetta, Georgia. Melvin also leaves to mourn his passing three sisters: Betty Pankey, Romayne Short, and Kathy Stewart, Stella Perkins-Jackson (cousin that was reared with the family) and two brothers James (Freda) and Gary Perkins( Sherry). He is blessed to have a quiver full of grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces and nephews along with uncles, and friends and family to carry on his legacy. Melvin was preceded in death by his parents, Rudy Stewart, Katie Stewart and Bryant Perkins; sisters Regina Stewart and Mary Benford; and brothers Bruce Stewart, Moses Perkins, Ronnie Perkins, and William Perkins. He grieved the recent loss of his grandson, Melvin Green III up ‘til his passing. Melvin retired from the Department of Defense, Andrews Air Force Base after 40 years of working in the federal sector. He served his country in the U.S. Army 82nd Airborne. He also worked as a ambulatory supervisor at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, with the United States Postal Service and was a master stylist where he operated a beauty salon in Washington, DC. Most of all, Melvin was a believer in Jesus Christ. He never hesitated to tell anyone that would listen or who didn’t care to listen about his Savior. Our children could never escape hearing the Word. Melvin often talked about how he graduated from high school barely knowing how to read. But once he accepted the Lord, the Holy Spirit was his teacher through God’s Word. No matter what question the children or grandchildren had, we all knew what his first response would be: “Go get the Bible” or “Let’s see what the Word of God has to say.” Second only to the Lord was the love of his life, Ethel and his children. He loved his children dearly and did everything he could to make sure they knew family members across the U.S. Melvin was known for loading the kids in the car and driving from Washington, DC to Detroit to have breakfast with his mother and then getting back on the road the same day to return home. If he even thought you were family he’d hop in the car and give you a visit. He loved connecting family with each other. His heart though was in those grandkids. When people started to talk about their grandkids he could always one up them with over 30 grands and 30 great grands and counting as one of his granddaughters just gave birth and another is six months pregnant.

Mr. Melvin Stewart

September 30, 1942 - December 5, 2018