Melvin Bell Reed

On September 30, 2023, Melvin Reed, 87, passed away peacefully at home with his loved ones near. Although his earthly life has ended, he left behind so many blessings that will forever brighten the lives of those who knew him. He was a shining example of a life well lived.

Melvin was born in Canton, NC to Eula and James Reed. Following his second year of college he served in the Army and spent two years stationed in Germany with Elvis. He had a small cameo role in GI Blues, and his youngest granddaughter always told Freda that she married a movie star. After his discharge he moved to Pasadena, Texas where he met and married Freda Pace. They had two sons, Darren and Kenny. As fate would have it, Freda Pace was also born in Canton, NC (population 5,000). They discovered years later that they were both delivered by the same doctor.

Melvin worked at Diamond Shamrock, Exxon, and First Place at Houston’s First Baptist Church. He loved the outdoors and was good at almost all sports. He introduced camping to his children and grandchildren, frequently going to Garner State Park and various National and State Parks. He was an avid reader, preferring Christian books. He loved reading the Bible which he read through countless times.

He loved his family. He attended the sport and other functions for all of his children and grandchildren. When his first grandchild was born he tried to bribe the nurse to tell him what the gender was before she came out of the delivery room. It didn’t work. His love and dedication also guided each of them by teaching them how to do things…how to fix a car, think through a problem, how to manage their finances, and how to be kind and treat others with respect. One of his grandchildren said that Papaw could fix anything except a broken heart. And that was true. He was a man of many talents who knew how to get things done and never sought praise for any of it.

He enjoyed a physical challenge. He made several parachute jumps until he almost got caught in the power lines and decided that maybe that was enough. He canoed the Santa Elena canyon on the Rio Grande River in a remote area of Big Bend with his friend Cornell. Freda, understanding how dangerous this was, supported his venture but she insisted he complete his will before he left. When President Kennedy set a goal of walking 50 miles, Mel rose to the challenge. He also ran two marathons and completed two triathlons.

In 1996 Melvin and Freda fulfilled a long-time goal and purchased a little vacation house in Canton, NC. They spent summers there working from home and getting to enjoy the beautiful mountains and to spend time with Melvin’s brothers, sister, and other relatives as well as many of Freda’s relatives. They would load up their 7 cats in their Honda Pilot and make the thousand-mile trip.

Melvin was a man of integrity, honesty, humility and grit. He expressed his gratitude for even the smallest thing. He praised God daily, thanking Him for his abundant blessings. Even in his illness he did not complain, but continually thanked God for his goodness and His blessings which he frequently said were above and beyond what could be imagined. He was a generous man who loved serving others. He didn’t want to be in the limelight but never missed an opportunity to help a family member, friend, or neighbor.

Melvin was predeceased by his father and mother James and Eula Reed, three brothers James Reed, Nook Reed, and Ernest Reed and one sister, Mary Lou Caldwell.

He is survived by his wife, Freda, sons, Darren Reed and Kenny Reed, sister Jimmie Duke Doughty, granddaughters Brittany Reed, Lauren Michelle Reed, and Rachel Reed, grandson Sean Winton, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Memorial service will be held at First Baptist Church Chapel, 7500 Fairmont Parkway, Pasadena, Texas 77505, Saturday, November 4, Visitation 2:00 PM, Memorial service 3:00 PM.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Melvin Reed Memorial, First Baptist Church Pasadena, 7500 Fairmont Parkway Pasadena, TX 77505.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.pasadenafuneralchapel.com for the Reed family.