Melvin Sylvester Hurston

Melvin Sylvester Hurston, age 72, of Chapel Hill, North Carolina, transitioned peacefully at his home on Saturday, August 16, 2025, after a courageous battle with cancer. He was born on February 11, 1953, to the late Nathaniel Arthur Hurston and Suellen Gaut Hurston.

He proudly served in the U.S. Army, stationed at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, and later built a distinguished career in healthcare leadership as an Assistant Administrator for Harper Grace Hospitals in Detroit, Michigan, and later rose to serve as a Senior Vice President of Operations and Support Services at the University of North Carolina Health Care System, where his 34 years of vision, dedication, and compassionate leadership left a lasting impact.

Mel was preceded in death by his parents, Nathaniel Arthur Hurston and Suellen Gaut Hurston, his sister, Brenda Hurston-Feggins, his brother Michael Hurston, and his nephew Mark Feggins.

Mel is survived by his loving wife, Janice Summers-Hurston; sisters, Beverly Hurston, Barbara Foster, and Nancy Hurston-Carter; brother, Karl (Debra) Hurston; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family and friends; and Bernard and Jezzicka Watson, who were bonus children.

Celebration of Life services will be held in Detroit, Michigan, on Saturday, September 27, 2025, Family Hour at 2:30 pm and a Memorial Service at 3:00 pm at O.H. Pye, III Funeral Home, 17600 Plymouth Road, Detroit, Michigan, 48227. Bishop James Earl Streeter will officiate.

Another service will be held in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, on Sunday, October 19, 2025, from 3 pm-6 pm at The Friday Center, 100 Friday Center Drive, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, 27517. His beloved Pastor, Dannie T. Williams, Sr., will officiate.

In place of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Charles House Eldercare Center, 7511 Sunrise Road, Chapel Hill, NC, 27514, or to Melfield United Church of Christ Food Ministry, 2144 Melfield Drive, Haw River, NC, 27258, causes close to Mel’s heart.