Melvin Joe Frazier

Melvin Joe Frazier was born on October 5, 1934 in Hardin County, TN to Hugh (Buster) and Josie Perry Frazier, the 5th of 11 children and received his heavenly reward on November 27, 2020. Melvin enjoyed his childhood and reminisced about it often entertaining his listeners for hours. In him, along with his brothers and sisters, was instilled a hard work ethic which he passed on to his children. Melvin had a 6th grade education but that never stopped him from constantly learning. He could read a book and from that knowledge repair, build or create anything including building the house that he and both his wives lived in. Melvin retired from Hassell and Hughes Lumber Company in 2000, His handiwork is evident in the many projects that he worked on and created during his years there. He mentored many a young man during his lifetime, sharing his skills and knowledge of his trade. Melvin was an avid outdoorsman who loved to hunt and was an accomplished gunsmith, again learning all he knew from reading and trial and error. He spent many a day in the woods enjoying God's beauty and solitude where he was most at home. Melvin attended Fairview Freewill Baptist Church but later in life, as his hearing worsened, he spent most Sunday mornings in the woods convening with God and nature. He is a lifetime member of the National Rifleman's Association. Melvin shared his knowledge of the outdoors with many children who needed help with leaf collections over the years. He scoured the woods locating the needed leaves and labeling them, sharing his knowledge and enjoying the time spent with nature. Melvin is preceded in death by his first wife of 48 years and mother of his children, Betty Jo Holt Frazier and parents, Hugh and Josie Frazier, brothers, Grady, Edward, CR and Granville Frazier and sister, Mildred Vandiver and Laura Jean Hinton. Melvin is survived by his wife and caregiver, Mary Lou Guin Stooksberry; son, Glen (Jennifer) Frazier and daughter, Donna (Darrell) Johnson of Iron City; grandsons, Brandon Frazier and Jeremy (Beth) Johnson; great-grandsons, Brody Frazier Johnson and Baylor Augustine Johnson who enjoyed visiting and caring for "Pa" in his later years and great-granddaughter, Georgia Josephine Johnson; faithful canine companion, Booger; stepson, Danny (Bonnie) Stooksberry; step-daughter, Juanita Creighton; brother, Anthony (Ellen) Frazier of Savannah; sisters, Mary Helen Franks and Willie Ellen Kilburn both of Savannah and Christine Victory of Lawrenceburg and a host of nieces and nephews and step-grandchildren. The family wishes to thank Dr. Danny McFall and Tennessee Quality Hospice for their loving care during his last days. Funeral services will be Monday, November 30, 2020 at 1 pm at Shackelford Funeral Directors chapel, Collinwood, TN with Greg Stults, Greg Eaton and Bobby Rich officiating. Burial will be in Railroad Cemetery, Iron City, TN with Shackelford Funeral Directors, Wayne County assisting the family. Family and friends will serve as pallbearers with Aaron Stults, Justin Campbell and Danny Brown as honorary pallbearers. Visitation will be Sunday, November 29, 2020 from 5:30 pm to 8 pm and Monday, November 30, 2020 from 11 am to service time at the funeral home. Please practice physical distancing and wear a mask during visitation and services.