Melvin Leonard Fort, Sr.

Melvin Leonard Fort, Sr., 84, passed away peacefully on November 8, 2023, at Ogeechee Area Hospice Inpatient Care in Statesboro. He was born in Baxley on August 16, 1939, to Mildred Collins Fort and Sius Leonard Fort. Melvin graduated from Glennville High School in 1957. He graduated with an electronics diploma from South Georgia Technical College in Americus. On November 3, 1965, he married the love of his life, Linda Blocker. They raised two daughters and one son. Together they opened their home several times in order to help other family members.

He dedicated many years of his life working in television and appliance sales and repair, with businesses in Glennville and Claxton. Melvin owned Coastal Sign Company and later Neon Plus. He was a licensed electrician. He retired from IMTS (Improved Moving Target Simulator) in Fort Stewart. Melvin's passion for serving his country led him to join the Army National Guard and he later transferred and retired from the 165th Tactical Airlift Group at Travis Field in Savannah. 

Melvin was a member of Northside Baptist Church and later Gospel Baptist Temple. He drove the church bus for a few years picking up kids between Glennville and Claxton. In his free time, he enjoyed fishing. He will be fondly remembered by his family, friends, and all those who knew him for his kindness, dedication, and commitment to his work.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Linda, father, Sius, mother, Mildred, and siblings Billy Fort and Jewette Ray. One special grandson, Cody Dasher, also preceded him in death.

He is survived by daughters Tracy (Marky) Waters and Leigh Dreggors; son, Leonard (Kelly); and son-in-law, Daniel Dreggors. He was blessed with several grandchildren, Chance Dasher, Brenna (Caleb) Crews, Sarah (Christian) Mercado, Jacob Fort, Emma Waters, Mark (Kendra) Waters, and Dillan (Lacey) Waters. Great-grandchildren include Lynzie, Chancey and Jake Dasher; and Will and Evan Waters. Also surviving are his twin sister, Myrna Milstrey, and two sisters-in-law, Ann Blocker and Vernell Fort, as well as several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Visitation will begin at 10:00 am, Saturday, November 11, 2023, at Brannen Family Funeral Services. Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 am, Saturday, November 11, 2023, at the chapel of Brannen Family Funeral Services. Burial will follow in Pigott Branch Baptist Church Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to Ogeechee Area Hospice, PO Box 531, Statesboro, GA 30459.

Care and Services are entrusted to Brannen Family Funeral Services, Glennville, Georgia, "Our Family Serving Your Family."