Melvin was born in Library, Pennsylvania (now known as South Park). He was the third born out of twelve children to the union of Andrew Hardy Wilson and Carrie Belle (White) Wilson.
He attended Redstone High School and was an outstanding athlete in the fields of baseball, football, and basketball; having been scouted by the Brooklyn Dodgers. Having a strict upbringing, he was not allowed to pursue that opportunity. He later admitted that his father made the right choice in forbidding him to join the team.
Melvin was very close to his uncle, Bishop Freeman Wilson, a presiding Bishop with the Church of the Living God. He served as a role-model, mentor, and second father to Melvin; often traveling with him and assisting him in baptisms, church services and serving as his driver.
It was through this church affiliation that he met the shy and reserved young lady, Geraldine Green. They were soon married when Melvin was 19 years-old and Geraldine was 17; upon her mother’s approval. To this union was born four children; sons Melvin (Pamela), Calvin, Damon, and daughter Zanetta.
A gifted gospel singer, Melvin was known and traveled throughout the tri-state area, sharing his gift of song. The nation was introduced to him in the early 1970’s when as a principle lead singer with the Southwestern Pennsylvania All-Star Choir, he recorded two albums on the Savoy label.
Melvin was a hardworking young man of many talents who dedicated himself to taking care of his family. In addition to working in various fields, he had an entrepreneurial streak, operating several businesses throughout his lifetime.
Following in his father’s and uncle’s footsteps he eventually entered the ministry and became a pastor. Churches under his pastorship over the years were; Bethlehem Baptist (Smithdale, PA), New Zion Baptist (Fairchance, PA), and St. John Baptist (now St. John Bible Center) (Lawrence, PA), where he served as Senior Pastor for 43 years.
Shortly before his death, he traveled back to his longtime home of Clarksville, PA, where he and a long-standing friend, were honored with a road named after them....Angelo-Wilson Rd.
Preceding him in death are his parents, step-mother, Helen Wilson, brothers; Freeman, Donnell, Harold, Robert, Hosea, and sister, Trophelia Ajala.
In addition to his devoted wife of 65 years and their children, he is survived by a brother, Jerome Wilson Sr. and sister, Carrie Myers. He is also survived by vast and beautiful collection of
grandchildren, great-grandchildren, cousins, nieces, nephews, and devoted friends.
He attended Redstone High School and was an outstanding athlete in the fields of baseball, football, and basketball; having been scouted by the Brooklyn Dodgers. Having a strict upbringing, he was not allowed to pursue that opportunity. He later admitted that his father made the right choice in forbidding him to join the team.
Melvin was very close to his uncle, Bishop Freeman Wilson, a presiding Bishop with the Church of the Living God. He served as a role-model, mentor, and second father to Melvin; often traveling with him and assisting him in baptisms, church services and serving as his driver.
It was through this church affiliation that he met the shy and reserved young lady, Geraldine Green. They were soon married when Melvin was 19 years-old and Geraldine was 17; upon her mother’s approval. To this union was born four children; sons Melvin (Pamela), Calvin, Damon, and daughter Zanetta.
A gifted gospel singer, Melvin was known and traveled throughout the tri-state area, sharing his gift of song. The nation was introduced to him in the early 1970’s when as a principle lead singer with the Southwestern Pennsylvania All-Star Choir, he recorded two albums on the Savoy label.
Melvin was a hardworking young man of many talents who dedicated himself to taking care of his family. In addition to working in various fields, he had an entrepreneurial streak, operating several businesses throughout his lifetime.
Following in his father’s and uncle’s footsteps he eventually entered the ministry and became a pastor. Churches under his pastorship over the years were; Bethlehem Baptist (Smithdale, PA), New Zion Baptist (Fairchance, PA), and St. John Baptist (now St. John Bible Center) (Lawrence, PA), where he served as Senior Pastor for 43 years.
Shortly before his death, he traveled back to his longtime home of Clarksville, PA, where he and a long-standing friend, were honored with a road named after them....Angelo-Wilson Rd.
Preceding him in death are his parents, step-mother, Helen Wilson, brothers; Freeman, Donnell, Harold, Robert, Hosea, and sister, Trophelia Ajala.
In addition to his devoted wife of 65 years and their children, he is survived by a brother, Jerome Wilson Sr. and sister, Carrie Myers. He is also survived by vast and beautiful collection of
grandchildren, great-grandchildren, cousins, nieces, nephews, and devoted friends.
Melvin was born in Library, Pennsylvania (now known as South Park). He was the third born out of twelve children to the union of Andrew Hardy Wilson and Carrie Belle (White) Wilson.
He attended Redstone High School and was an outstanding athlete in the fields of baseball, football, and basketball; having been scouted by the Brooklyn Dodgers. Having a strict upbringing, he was not allowed to pursue that opportunity. He later admitted that his father made the right choice in forbidding him to join the team.
Melvin was very close to his uncle, Bishop Freeman Wilson, a presiding Bishop with the Church of the Living God. He served as a role-model, mentor, and second father to Melvin; often traveling with him and assisting him in baptisms, church services and serving as his driver.
It was through this church affiliation that he met the shy and reserved young lady, Geraldine Green. They were soon married when Melvin was 19 years-old and Geraldine was 17; upon her mother’s approval. To this union was born four children; sons Melvin (Pamela), Calvin, Damon, and daughter Zanetta.
A gifted gospel singer, Melvin was known and traveled throughout the tri-state area, sharing his gift of song. The nation was introduced to him in the early 1970’s when as a principle lead singer with the Southwestern Pennsylvania All-Star Choir, he recorded two albums on the Savoy label.
Melvin was a hardworking young man of many talents who dedicated himself to taking care of his family. In addition to working in various fields, he had an entrepreneurial streak, operating several businesses throughout his lifetime.
Following in his father’s and uncle’s footsteps he eventually entered the ministry and became a pastor. Churches under his pastorship over the years were; Bethlehem Baptist (Smithdale, PA), New Zion Baptist (Fairchance, PA), and St. John Baptist (now St. John Bible Center) (Lawrence, PA), where he served as Senior Pastor for 43 years.
Shortly before his death, he traveled back to his longtime home of Clarksville, PA, where he and a long-standing friend, were honored with a road named after them....Angelo-Wilson Rd.
Preceding him in death are his parents, step-mother, Helen Wilson, brothers; Freeman, Donnell, Harold, Robert, Hosea, and sister, Trophelia Ajala.
In addition to his devoted wife of 65 years and their children, he is survived by a brother, Jerome Wilson Sr. and sister, Carrie Myers. He is also survived by vast and beautiful collection of
grandchildren, great-grandchildren, cousins, nieces, nephews, and devoted friends.
He attended Redstone High School and was an outstanding athlete in the fields of baseball, football, and basketball; having been scouted by the Brooklyn Dodgers. Having a strict upbringing, he was not allowed to pursue that opportunity. He later admitted that his father made the right choice in forbidding him to join the team.
Melvin was very close to his uncle, Bishop Freeman Wilson, a presiding Bishop with the Church of the Living God. He served as a role-model, mentor, and second father to Melvin; often traveling with him and assisting him in baptisms, church services and serving as his driver.
It was through this church affiliation that he met the shy and reserved young lady, Geraldine Green. They were soon married when Melvin was 19 years-old and Geraldine was 17; upon her mother’s approval. To this union was born four children; sons Melvin (Pamela), Calvin, Damon, and daughter Zanetta.
A gifted gospel singer, Melvin was known and traveled throughout the tri-state area, sharing his gift of song. The nation was introduced to him in the early 1970’s when as a principle lead singer with the Southwestern Pennsylvania All-Star Choir, he recorded two albums on the Savoy label.
Melvin was a hardworking young man of many talents who dedicated himself to taking care of his family. In addition to working in various fields, he had an entrepreneurial streak, operating several businesses throughout his lifetime.
Following in his father’s and uncle’s footsteps he eventually entered the ministry and became a pastor. Churches under his pastorship over the years were; Bethlehem Baptist (Smithdale, PA), New Zion Baptist (Fairchance, PA), and St. John Baptist (now St. John Bible Center) (Lawrence, PA), where he served as Senior Pastor for 43 years.
Shortly before his death, he traveled back to his longtime home of Clarksville, PA, where he and a long-standing friend, were honored with a road named after them....Angelo-Wilson Rd.
Preceding him in death are his parents, step-mother, Helen Wilson, brothers; Freeman, Donnell, Harold, Robert, Hosea, and sister, Trophelia Ajala.
In addition to his devoted wife of 65 years and their children, he is survived by a brother, Jerome Wilson Sr. and sister, Carrie Myers. He is also survived by vast and beautiful collection of
grandchildren, great-grandchildren, cousins, nieces, nephews, and devoted friends.
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