The Free-Lance Star, (Fredericksburg, VA) September 7, 2006

Brother Bob R. Melvin, 72, of Fredericksburg went to be with the Lord Wednesday, Sept. 6, 2006.

He was a native of Portsmouth, the son of the late Mr. and Mrs. F.B. Melvin. Bob graduated from Cradock High School in Portsmouth in 1952 and then went to work for Seaboard Airline Railroad.

In 1957, he entered the U.S. Army and served in Germany. After serving our country, Bob returned to the railroad and was called by the Lord to enter the ministry in 1966.

He entered the University of Richmond in 1967, graduating in 1969 with a B.A. in religion. He then attended Southern Seminary in Louisville, Ky., and graduated in 1972 with a Master of Divinity degree.

During the course of his ministry, he served at Elon Baptist Church in Beaverdam; Lebanon Baptist Church in Frankfort, Ky.; and Hardy Central Baptist Church in Richmond. He had served as senior pastor at Spotswood Baptist Church in Fredericksburg since 1978.

Brother Bob had served as the first president of the Southern Baptist Conservatives of Virginia. He was a former member of the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee and was a former trustee of LifeWay.

Affectionately known as "Honey" to his wife, "Dad" to his children and "Boogie" to his grandchildren, he is survived by his loving wife of 52 years, Carol B. Melvin; his devoted son, Bob Melvin Jr. and his wife, Denise, of Fredericksburg; and his loving grandchildren, Trey Osbourne and his fiancee, Autumn Diehr, of Durham, N.C., and Kelly Osbourne of Richmond; two sisters, Mildred Griggs of Portsmouth and Gertrude Rohrman of Pennsylvania; and numerous nieces and nephews. Bob was preceded in death by a loving daughter, Robin Dawn Melvin, who went to be with the Lord in 2005.

A funeral will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 10, at Spotswood Baptist Church, with the Rev. Drew Landry, the Rev. Jim Stone and the Rev. Dan Cook officiating. Interment will follow in Sunset Memorial Gardens.

The family will receive friends from 4 to 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 9, at Covenant Funeral Service, Fredericksburg.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Spotswood Baptist Church Building Fund, 4009 Lafayette Blvd., Fredericksburg, Va. 22408.