Melvin Lassiter Sr.

Melvin Lassiter Sr. FREDERICKSBURG - Melvin Lassiter Sr., 65, of the 3900 block of Mine Road, died after a long illness on April 18, 2010. He was born in Orange, N.J., on April 13, 1945. Melvin known to many as "Big Mel" was born to William Henry Lassiter Sr. and the late Rosa Mae Perry Lassiter, and predeceased by a brother Fredrick "Freddie" McPherson. He attended the Norfolk Public School System and was employed with Neutral Benefit Life Insurance Company as a security guard. He furthered his employment with Gift Box Corporation for many years until his illness. He was also a Mason, initiated September 1978 with the Masonry in Newark, N.J. He leaves to cherish two daughters, Pamela Lassiter and Dolsialeen Lassiter, both from Norfolk; one son, Melvin Lassiter Jr. of Lithonia, Ga.; one sister, Dorothy (Renee) Sumner (Henry); two devoted brothers, James (Rannie) Lassiter and William (Billy) Lassiter; five grandchildren and one great- grandchild; a host of nieces, nephew, cousins, relative and friends. A homegoing service will be held Monday at 11 a.m. in A.L. Bennett and Son Sanctuary, 200 Butternut Drive. Viewing will be Sunday from 4 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home with the family receiving friends from 6 to 8 p.m.