Pastor Melvin Stringer, 77, of Fitzgerald, Georgia died Friday, February 10, 2012, at Baptist Village in Waycross, GA.
Funeral services will be held 11:00 AM Monday, February 13, at The Paulk Funeral Home Chapel in Fitzgerald with Pastor John Weaver and Pastor Allen Peacock officiating. Interment will follow in Irwinville Cemetery. The family will receive friends Sunday evening from 6 until 8 at the funeral home in Fitzgerald.
Pastor Stringer was born December 12, 1934 in Irwin County to the late George Walker and Willie Mae McGee Stringer. Graduating from Irwin County High School in 1951, he had farmed in Irwinville. He was a former employee of ASCS for 23 years he was forner Owner & Operator of Mel's Home Improvement Co. He had served Pastorates in south Georgia including Pine Hill Baptist Church and Bethel Baptist Church in Ocilla, Macedonia Baptist Church in Telfair County, Dorminy Mill Baptist Church in Ben Hill County, Sunny Side Baptist Church and Wadley Road Baptist Church in Waycross and served as associate pastor for several other churches. A resident of Broxton before going to Baptist Village, he was a member of Douglas Gospel Assembly in Broxton. He was a loving husband, father and grandfather who enjoyed bird huting and fishing in his spare time.
Pastor Stringer is survived by his children: Angela and Jim McDuffie of Ocilla, GA, Randy and Cindy Stringer and Greg and Sara Stringer, all of Waycross, GA and Kelly Stringer of Macon, GA; 16 grandchildren; 18 great grandchildren; stepchildren: Allen Peacock and Royce Peacock of Broxton and Sharon Griffin of Perry; brothers: Carlton and Ginger Stringer and Vernon and Pat Stringer, all of Irwinville and James and Retha Stringer of Valdosta; sisters: Lucille and Malcolm Osborne and Grace Carrowon of Tifton. Along with his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife, Barbara Jean Dove Stringer and Gertrude Peacock Stringer.