Melvin Alexander Reid, Jr

Melvin Alexander Reid Jr. was born on May 3, 1964 in Baltimore, Maryland. He was the first child of Shirley Delores and Melvin Alexander Reid, Sr.. Shirley Reid later became Shirley Anderson upon marrying Wilbert "Pop-Pop" Anderson. Melvin was blessed to be raised in the loving care of two fathers.

Our dear Melvin fell asleep in death on January 4, 2023. He was surrounded and supported by his loving family and friends during the last days of his life. 

Melvin or Mely-Mel (as he's known by friends and family) was an extremely determined and stubborn child, quite like his mom. He was known to be the leader of his four younger brothers oftentimes acting like he was their father and enforcing strict rules. Melvin wasn't afraid of ANYTHING. And he taught his brothers how to be just as fearless.

Melvin developed a love for basketball. He did NOT like to lose. And anything he put his mind to do, he would do it to the extreme. Melvin was often seen walking up to the basketball court, in his dress shoes, challenging the entire court to a game. He was extremely confident in his ability to beat everyone on the court. And 99% of the time, he did. He grew to love the LA Lakers. They would soon become his favorite basketball team. He watched, cheered and yelled during all of their games.

Melvin loved to play cards. Pinochle was his favorite game because he said, “Spades is a baby game.” He was a master at Monopoly and playing chess as well. If you would've asked Melvin, he would've also admitted he was a master at singing. Though that might’ve been questionable, it never stopped him from bellowing out a Boyz II Men song. Melvin was passionate about being a well dressed man and developing a style of his own. He loved putting on his best black and white to go out in field service. And after field service, he was eager to grab some fried chicken. He LOVED fried chicken!!

Some very important events that took place in Melvin's life include being introduced to Bible truths by his mother, which laid the foundation for his desire to serve Jehovah God, his dedication and baptism, and the day he married the love of his life, Kyalandra "KeKe" Reid.

Melvin's GREATEST passion was his love for Jehovah. He was baptized in 2007 as one of Jehovah's Witnesses. He had a very strong desire to share with all those he came in contact with the hope for a better future and Jehovah's promise of a New World to come. Melvin was blessed with many privileges over the years, but he received the most joy in seeing his family and those he met in the ministry become dedicated servants of Jehovah. Melvin started his day by conducting a family call, opening it with prayer and going over the daily text. After the call, he was always excited to go out for breakfast with KeKe.

Melvin enjoyed opening up his home and extending hospitality to fellow Witnesses to play cards, chess, monopoly, etc.  Not having him yell out, "You can't eat and play cards...it's one or the other!" when playing bid-whist and Pinochle will leave a void in our lives. He loved playing chess with his spiritual brothers Trey, Arthur, Tommy, Derrick, and Charles. His spiritual brothers and sisters Doc, Sheila, Maxine, Joe, Reggie would often come over to play cards. Melvin also had a crew of spiritual sisters that were like his cheerleading squad---Dawn, Dowanna and Dashawn supported and encouraged him whenever possible. 

In 2013, Melvin told everyone, "I'm getting married in a year." The family and friends were puzzled because they hadn't met any potential prospects. Melvin said he had full faith that Jehovah would send him a wife. He prepared himself for that day. He got a home, saved his money, and prayed feverishly. Melvin was introduced to Kyalandra Thomas (KeKe) by another spiritual sister, CoCo. They started phone dating after a week. They each soon realized they were what each other had prayed to Jehovah for. Exactly one year later, they were married. Melvin married his true love on June 7, 2014. Melvin and KeKe put Jehovah first in everything they did. They remained faithfully and loyally married for almost nine years.

Melvin will always be remembered for his open and giving heart, his photographic memory of the bible, and his ability to preach to anyone (he wasn't afraid to talk to anyone). He is immediately survived by his loving wife and caregiver, Kyalandra Reid; his mother and father, Shirley and Wilbert Anderson; his brothers, Mark Reid, Micheal Reid (Pam), Malcolm Reid (Sherria), and Marcus Reid; his adopted brothers, Robert Dent (Darlene), Arnold Mears, and Richard Parker; he is also survived by extended family to include his mother-in-law (Amaryllis), three sisters-in-law, Ro Thomas, Sonia Thomas, and Nakia Cooper (Austin); and two brothers-in-law, Eustace Thomas (Howette) and Jakeita Thomas; a spiritual son and daughter, Isaac Ngwana and Chante Hilliary; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and spiritual family. 

Melvin faithfully served the "God of the living" and had full confidence in his hope for a resurrection. We all look to that hope and are assured that Jehovah God, through his son, Christ Jesus, remembers his servant and will restore him to life and perfect health in a beautiful Paradise Earth.