Mr. Melvin Andrew Strickland, Jr. was born August 25, 1927 in Cocoa, Florida. He was the second child born to the late Bessie T. Blake and Melvin Andrew Strickland. As a child, Melvin had a special relationship with his Grandmother Rose. When Melvin did mischievous things, he could always hide behind his grandmother to get away from his brothers and sisters.

Melvin had to give up his mischievous ways when he joined the Army in 1951. He trained at Fort Bragg in Fayetteville, NC and rose to the rank of Sergeant in the 500th Engineer Corp as a Bridge Specialist. He served in Korea and was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, United Nations Service Medal, and the Korean Service Medal with two Bronze Service Stars. After coming home from Germany he married his sweetheart Eva Mae Butler in 1958. In that same year, Melvin received a Letter of Commendation from his commanding officer James H. Torrey. In the letter, Captain Torrey stated, "I believe you will be able to discharge any position of authority for which you prepare yourself." Melvin was prepared to make the Army his career, but a diagnosis of diabetes ended his time as an enlisted man. Melvin received an honorable discharge from the Army in 1960.

Melvin and Eva left North Carolina and moved to New Jersey. Melvin decided to continue public service by joining the ranks of the United States Postal Service as a mail carrier. Melvin and Eva were enjoying life, but felt that something was missing. In January of 1970, missionaries from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints knocked on the Strickland's door and Melvin invited them in to share their message. In 2003, Melvin reflected upon the experience. He wrote, "I will always believe that the Lord sent those two special Elders to our door. The greatest thing that ever happened to us, in all our lives, was being introduced to the church." Melvin and Eva were baptized into the church in 1970. They welcomed their daughter, Valerie, in 1971.

Upon retirement, Melvin moved his family to Clemmons, NC in 1981. He would dedicate the rest of his life to serving others and building the Kingdom of God. He held several positions in the church and was known for his kind and gentle leadership. From 1992 to 1999, Melvin and Eva served monthly in the Atlanta Temple. In December 1999, the couple began their 13 month mission in the Raleigh Temple. After their full-time mission was complete, Melvin and Eva continued to serve monthly until Melvin's health required that the couple be honorably released from temple service in 2005.

In the last four years of his life, Melvin and Eva faced their greatest challenges. As Melvin's health declined, his testimony and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ increased. He continued to serve others by sharing the same message of love and hope that changed his life. Melvin's monthly letters were posted on the church's website and were a source of great inspiration to all who read them. Melvin Strickland, Jr. will forever be remembered as a loving husband and father, a caring friend, and as a faithful disciple of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Eva Mae Strickland; his daughter, Valerie Strickland Johnson; a son-in-law, Bronald Johnson; a granddaughter, Nicole; a grandson, Daniel; a brother, Daniel Clakely and a host of nieces, nephews, and friends who will miss him dearly.

Funeral services will be held at 11:30 AM Wednesday, September 2, 2009 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 4260 Clinard Rd., Clemmons, NC 27012. Interment will follow in Salisbury National Cemetery, Salisbury, NC. The family visitation will be held from 6:00 PM until 9:00 PM on Tuesday September 1, 2009 at the church, 4260 Clinard Rd. Clemmons, NC.