Melvin Hosea (5-21-11) services 5-24-11

Melvin Hosea was born in Steele, Mo., on Aug. 10, 1918, the son of the late Grady George Hosea and Margarett Annie Burden Hosea.

On Aug. 28, 1976, he was united in marriage to Nannie Mae Higgins, who preceded him in death on May 1, 2008.

Mr. Hosea attended First Assembly of God Church in Savannah. He was a devoted family man and loved his children and grandchildren dearly.

Mr. Hosea served in the Navy during World War II as a motor machinist third class. He was honorably discharged Nov. 17, 1945, and returned to cotton farming in Caruthersville, Mo., until moving to Savannah, Tenn. in 1950. He then worked as an x-ray technician at Hardin County General Hospital for 20 years, Lexington Hospital for two years and Lewis County Hospital for three years before retiring. Mr. Hosea was an avid fisherman, gardener and animal lover. He was especially fond of his dogs Nan and Ladybug and Tom the cat.

Mr. Hosea departed this life on Saturday, May 21, at Hardin Home, Savannah, at the age of 92 years, 9 months, 11 days.

He is survived by two daughters, Deretha Wilbanks and husband Bob, and Bonnie Blanton and husband Kerry, two sons, Juan Hosea and wife Sheila, and Ricky Hosea, all of Savannah; a step-daughter, Patty Scott and husband Tony of Adamsville; one brother, Gene Hosea and wife Kate of Savannah; eight grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren, six step-great-grandchildren, four step-great-great-grandchildren; and his first wife and mother of his children, Murleen Porter Hosea.

Other than his wife and parents, Mr. Hosea was preceded in death by a daughter, Donna Franks, a grandchild, Rickey Bradley Hosea, and a brother, Mervin Hosea.

Services were held on Tuesday, May 24, at Shackelford Chapel in Savannah with Josh Franks officiating. Burial followed in the Memory Gardens at Savannah.