Melvin M. Echols

Melvin M. Echols, 82, of Roanoke, Va., died on Tuesday afternoon, February 3, 2009. Melvin served in the United States Navy during World War II, was a member of the American Legion Post #3 and was a Kentucky Colonel. He was a charter member of the Southwest Roanoke Athletic and Literary Society and was a retired superintendant of safety with Norfolk Southern Railway with 35 years service. Melvin was preceded in death by his wife of 56 years, JoAnn Whittaker Echols; and is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Kathy and Steve Barbour, of Buchanan; his son and daughter-in-law, John and Roberta Echols, of Chattanooga, Tenn.; his granddaughter, Emma Echols; his grandson, Jay Echols; his brother, James C. Echols and wife, Sylvia, of Blacksburg; his sister, Hazel Young, of Roanoke; and a dear friend, Charles Herberger, of Roanoke. A funeral service will be held 10 a.m. on Friday, February 6, 2009, at Oakey's Roanoke Chapel with the Rev. Charles Krause officiating. Interment will follow in Evergreen Burial Park. The family will receive friends on Thursday, February 5, 2009, from 2 to 4 p.m. and from 6 to 8 p.m. at Oakey's Roanoke Chapel, 540-982-2100.