Melvin Preston was known for his deep baritone voice. His warmth, humor, and unwavering dedication to service defined a life that touched countless people across generations and communities.
He was born October 51, 1950, in Columbia, South Carolina, to Eugene and Annie Mae Brunson Preston. Melvin was the fourth of nine children.
Along with his family, Melvin was deeply involved in ministry at Ephesus Church in Columbia, leading youth services and church programs.
He attended Oakwood College (now Oakwood University) and graduated in 1973 with a bachelor of arts in religion. In the 1980s, he was awarded an honorary doctor of divinity degree from Faith Theological Seminary for his outstanding community accomplishments.
Immediately following college, he began working for South Atlantic Conference where he was employed as minister and director of family life ministries for 50 years. During his tenure, some of his pastoral duties were in the Laurinburg and Marion church districts, New Bern and Murfreesboro districts, Jacksonville and Washington districts, Fayetteville and Lillington districts, Charlotte Berean, and Gastonia Ephesus churches in North Carolina. In Georgia, he served as the pastor at Decatur, Lithonia, and New Hope churches.
He also led major church construction projects, including Murfreesboro Church, Fayetteville Church, Charlotte Berean Junior Academy, and Decatur Adventist Junior Academy.
Perhaps nothing defined Preston’s ministry more than his dedication to family ministries. He orchestrated and directed the Married Lovers’ Retreat. The event grew to a yearly attendance ranging from 200 to more than 500 couples. There were more than 40 retreats over the years, including one on a cruise ship and one held virtually during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Beyond his pastoral work, Preston’s leadership extended to the broader community. For more than 25 years, he served on the Board of Directors for Southside Medical Center Community Health Center.
During his freshman year at Oakwood College, Melvin met the love of his life, the former Joetta Green. They were married on September 8, 1974. Melvin and Joetta built a family and shared three beloved children: Kevin, Brian, and Clarisha. The Prestons celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on September 8, 2024, in Decatur, Georgia.
At the age of 74, Melvin peacefully went to sleep in the Lord on January 29, 2025, leaving a legacy of service and compassion.
South Atlantic | April 2025
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