Melvin Tony Spence Sr.

Melvin Tony Spence, a beacon of kindness, humor, and generosity, peacefully passed away on August 14, 2023, in Washington DC, at the age of 84. His departure has brought deep sorrow and we mourn the loss of a remarkable soul whose presence enriched countless lives.

He leaves behind a legacy of love and warmth in the hearts of his adoring children, Melvin Jr. (Jacqueline), Michelle (Michael Sr.), and Patrice (Didier). His memory will forever be cherished and held dear by his beloved grandchildren: Mathieu, Michael Jr. (Gloria), Alexie, Morgan, and Lisa-Michelle; his lone surviving sibling, Harold James; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends across the nation and the world.

He was predeceased by his father, Jefferson McKinley Spence; his mother, Queenie Elizabeth Spence; his brothers, Jefferson McKinley Jr. and Eugene Norris; his wife, Barbara; and his in-laws, Charles and Blondell Lee.

Melvin's journey began on January 28, 1939, in Columbus, Georgia. His family later moved to Atlanta. A 1956 graduate of Booker T. Washington High School and Morehouse College in Atlanta, he had a brief stint in the US Army before landing in Washington DC where he met his beloved wife, Barbara Bernice Lee. His professional path led him to TRW, Pace Communications, and Boeing before he embarked on a globetrotting career with the US State Department as a Foreign Service Officer beginning in 1973. Over the span of his service until his retirement in 2000, he lived and worked in Belize, Mexico, Italy, Jamaica, Cote d’Ivoire, Canada, Sudan, Nigeria, and Malaysia.

A devoted family man, Melvin relished visiting his children overseas, all of whom followed in his footsteps and pursued international careers. His zest for culturally enriching experiences extended beyond travel, encompassing a passion for jazz, classical music, theater, and gourmet cuisine and wine. He loved jazz legends, particularly Sarah Vaughan, Carmen McRae, Billie Holiday, Shirley Horne, Nancy Wilson, and Lambert, Hendricks & Ross, as well as artists such as Tina Turner and Oleta Adams. Melvin was a talented writer and sketch artist, and he also had a passion for physical fitness and tennis.

Melvin's unquenchable intellectual curiosity was fueled by a passion for reading. One of his favorite pastimes during retirement was indulging in a simple pleasure: sipping a hazelnut, soy milk, no-foam latte at his local Starbucks and reading a newspaper or a book. In his later years, he cultivated a love for mind-bending word games and puzzles which he played on his mobile phone or tablet.

Guided by values of integrity, kindness, and honesty, Melvin's devotion to his family remained unwavering. His legacy of love and wisdom will endure, illuminating the path for generations to come. His indelible mark on our lives makes us profoundly grateful and blessed to have known him.

In the tapestry of life, Melvin Tony Spence's thread will forever weave a narrative of love, unity, and everlasting memories.

A memorial gathering for Melvin will be held on Thursday, September 7, 2023 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Fort Lincoln Funeral Home & Cemetery, 3401 Bladensburg Rd, Brentwood, Maryland 20722. A funeral service will occur on Thursday, September 7, 2023 from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM. An interment will occur on Thursday, September 7, 2023 at 1:00 PM, 3401 Bladensburg Rd, Brentwood, Maryland 20722.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.fort-lincoln.com for the Spence family.