Melvin Eugene Hester-Douglas

Melvin Eugene Hester-Douglas, age 75, resident of Rossville, Georgia, passed away on Wednesday, September 10, 2025 at his home following a lengthy illness. Melvin was born on October 18, 1949, on Lookout Mountain, Georgia in his grandma's bed. He was the son of the late Jess Hester and Georgia Mae Whited Hester. Melvin was a lifetime supporting member and volunteer at the Chattanooga Audubon Society Nature Park. Prior to his retirement, Melvin had worked for numerous carpet companies, was a metal fabricator for over fifteen years and had worked as a grounds crew member at Tennessee Georgia Memorial Park for more than six years. Melvin enjoyed riding their motorcycle with his wife Gwen on their many trips to State Parks, music festivals, flea markets, and Florida vacations. He especially looked forward to deer hunting, followed by fireside chats and cookouts on Lookout Mountain with family and friends. Melvin's wife remembers him as a gentle, loving, adventurous, and romantic hero who enjoyed watching westerns, rodeos, documentaries about wildlife animals, Alaska, Bigfoot, Egypt, dinosaurs, moonshiners, and mountain men. Most of all, he looked forward to spending quality time attending bluegrass concerts with family. Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, James Edgar and Lillian Bernice Wallen Whited; his uncle, Roy Lee Whited and his step-son, Joshua Douglas Hough. Melvin is survived by his wife of over 33 years, Gwendolynn Douglas-Hester; daughters, Ginger Ann Hester and Rosie Wilder; granddaughter, Kaylee Grace Daniels; step-sons, Michael (Jennifer) Mines and Charley (Amy) Mines; grandsons, Jonathan and Devin; step-grandsons, Jonathan and Samuel; step-niece, Victoria (James) Breazeale; great step-niece, Robin Marie Breazeale; step-nephews, Jeremiah Douglas and Nicholas (Amber) Douglas; brother-in-law Michael Schlote; uncle Junior Whited; cousin James Lee Whited; and sister, P. Juanita Hester Carr. The memorial celebration of Melvin's Life will be held at Calvary Gardens Mausoleum, 2200 South Cedar Ln., Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia at 1:00 pm on Sunday September 21, 2025. The family would like to especially thank the staff of Hearth Hospice, Carol Peace, Ashley Brotherton; and Chaplain Steve Moore for their love and support during this difficult time. An Online guest book can be found at www.wilsonfuneralhome.com. W. L. Wilson & Sons Funeral Homes, Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia, is handling the funeral arrangements.