Reverend Bryant Melton, Jr.

With deepest sympathy, Van Hoose & Steele Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Inc. announces the transition of Rev. Bryant Melton, Jr. of Tuscaloosa, AL on December 17, 2025.

THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF REVEREND BRYANT MELTON, JR.
Reverend Bryant Melton, Jr., a devoted Christian, husband, father, public servant, educator, veteran, and community leader, was born on May 9, 1940, in Sprott (Perry Co.), Alabama, as the seventh of nine children to the late Bryant Melton, Sr. and Bertha (Dobynes) Melton. He accepted Christ as his Savior at an early age and joined Poplar Grove Baptist Church. Brother Melton was raised with strong values of faith, discipline, and service that guided him throughout his life. He departed this life to be with The Lord on Wednesday, December 17, 2025, surrounded by his loving family.

While attending Lincoln High School, he served as President of the Student Government Association as well as President of his Senior Class. After graduating from high school, he began his college studies at Alabama A&M University. In 1960, his college studies were interrupted when he was drafted into the United States Army, where he served multiple tours of duty, including a period in Korea. His military service was marked by dedication and honor. Bryant married his college sweetheart, Emma Jean (Holmes) Melton, on May 5, 1962. Their union was a testament to love, partnership, and shared commitment to family and community.

He went on to complete his undergraduate studies at Stillman College, where he graduated with a BS Degree in Chemistry in 1965. On August 11, 2000, Bryant Melton, Jr. was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Laws Degree by Alabama A & M University.

He joined First African Baptist Church (Tuscaloosa, AL) in 1964 under the pastorate of Rev. T. Y. Rogers, Jr. He was an active member, having served in various positions and activities of the church. After the untimely death of Rev. Rogers, he served on the Pulpit Search Committee, which was fortunate to select Rev. W. E. Pitts to serve as Pastor. Brother Melton also served as a Trustee and later became Chairman of the Trustee Board. While he was Chair of the Trustee Board, the Church Building Fund was initiated. The church underwent major renovations, which included tuck-pointing the exterior brickwork and a Multi-Million-Dollar Expansion that added the James O. Ellis Fellowship Hall and new classrooms. Brother Melton was also a member of the Male Chorus.

During his early career, Rev. Melton worked as a Postman at the U.S. Post Office, an Insurance Salesman with the Protective Insurance Company, a Planner with Community Service Programs of West Alabama, a Quality Control Specialist with B.F. Goodrich for 25 years, and a Teacher at Druid High and Hale County Training Schools. In 1990, Rev. Melton was employed by Shelton State Community College and held various positions which included Assistant Director of External Affairs, Associate Dean of Human Resources, and Director of the C.A. Fredd Campus. He retired from Shelton State Community College in August 2006. He was also a retired Army Reservist.

Rev. Melton was elected to the Alabama State Legislature in November of 1982, and he was re-elected seven (7) times before retiring in August 2006. He was the first Black Legislator elected in Tuscaloosa County since Reconstruction. He sponsored several major bills in the legislature. Some of the most notable bills are: (1.) to change the Tuscaloosa City Commission from a three member commission elected at large to a seven member city council elected from single member districts; (2.) to change the Tuscaloosa County Commission from a three member commission elected at large to a four member commission elected from single member districts; (3.) to change the Tuscaloosa City Board of Education from an appointed board to an eight member board where seven are elected from single member districts and the chairman is elected at large. In addition, he was the sponsor and co-sponsor of the Mercedes-Benz Bills that brought major change to Tuscaloosa and West Alabama, including jobs and economic development.

He was very involved in the Tuscaloosa community. Brother Melton was a member of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.; a 32nd Degree Mason; member of the Alabama New South Coalition; member of the Alabama Democratic Conference (ADC); member of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC); member of the Stillman College Alumni Association; life member of the NAACP and former president of the Tuscaloosa County Chapter for ten (10) years, from 1972 to 1982. During his tenure as president, Melton was responsible for starting the Annual Emancipation Proclamation Program and the Annual Human Rights Award Banquet.

Melton had a history of leadership and service. He was a founding member of the Board of Directors of the West Alabama Sickle Cell Association, a former member and Chairman of the Alabama Sickle Cell Oversight and Regulatory Commission, and former Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Community Service Programs of West Alabama (CSP). Melton was a founding member and former Chairman of the Board of Directors of the McDonald Hughes Multi-Purpose Community Center. While serving as chairman, a two-million-dollar expansion was completed that more than doubled its size. He was a Scout Master for the Boy Scouts of America, where five boys, including his son Tony, received the prestigious Eagle Scout Award under his leadership. He supported many non-profit organizations, including the Murphy African American Museum (MAAM).

Rev. Melton received numerous awards and honors. In 1982, he was chosen as Man of the Year for the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. In 1983, Melton received the Citizen of the Year Award from the Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., Man of the Year from The Christian Study Center of Alabama, and the NAACP Distinguished Presidential Award for Exceptional Leadership and Devoted Service. He received the Distinguished Alumni Award from the Stillman College National Alumni Association in 1984 and 1987. In 1988, Melton received the Community Service Award from the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. South Eastern Region. In 1996, Melton was elected Legislator of the Year by the Mental Health Consumers of Alabama. In 1999, Melton was presented with Distinguished Service Awards from the Alabama Education Association and the Department of Industrial Relations. In 2000, he was elected Legislator of the Year by the Mental Health Commission and received awards from the Tuscaloosa County Preservation Society and the Murphy African American Museum for his contribution to the renovation of MAAM.

Rev. Bryant Melton responded to the call of ministry and preached his Initial Sermon, August 29, 2010, at First African Baptist Church, Tuscaloosa, Alabama.

He said, “It gives me peace of mind when I am doing what The Lord wants me to do. I believe that The Lord wants us to work for Him as we help to build His Kingdom. You will have joy and happiness serving The Lord by helping others. I know that I have more joy as I serve my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.”

Rev. Bryant Melton, Jr. was preceded in death by his parents, Bryant Melton, Sr. and Bertha (Dobynes) Melton; three brothers, Willie (Meriam) Melton, David (Dorothy) Melton, and Jonathan (Matilda) Melton; and four sisters, Minnie (Benjamin) Pryor, Millie (Galathan) Ford, Sara (Willie) Walker, and Maudie Melton.

He leaves to cherish his memory a beautiful, loving, and devoted wife of 63 years, Emma Jean Holmes Melton; three outstanding children: Tony B. Melton (Lisa) of Philadelphia, PA, DeLisa Melton Tolbert (Tony) of Charlotte, NC, and Emily Melton Bell, MD (Tony) of Hoover, AL; his lovely sister Carolyn Goode (Jerome) of Beaufort, SC; eight amazing grandchildren: Tyler Melton, Justin Tolbert, Trevor Melton, Lauren Tolbert, Rachel Tolbert, Trey Bell, Ethan Bell, and Wesley Bell; a dedicated brother-in-law Earnest Holmes; the children’s Godmother Alma Wyatt Jones; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.