Jackson, Melvin Randoph

Melvin Randolph Jackson, 83, of Radford, formerly of Richmond, passed away Thursday, January 26, 2006.

He was a member of First Baptist Church. He was a U. S. Army Air Corp SGT in the 767th Squadron, 461st Bomb Group, 15th Air Force serving in the Italian Campaign during WWII. He was a charter member of the Seaford, Delaware VFW Post #6149 and a member of the American Legion Post #137 in Richmond.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Dwight Edward Jackson and Clara Apperson Jackson Orlopp. Survivors include his wife of 52 years, Elyria “Tillie” Jackson, formerly of Richmond; two sons and daughters-in-law, Dana and Eileen Jackson of Fairlawn, and Gary and Sharon Jackson of Blacksburg; four grandchildren, Tommy Jackson and his wife Sarah of Check, Pete Jackson of Fairlawn, and Sarah Jackson and Rachel Jackson, both of Blacksburg; and four nephews, John Jackson and his wife, Sylvia of Milford, Del., Robert Dunston and his wife Norma of Williamsburg, Ky., James Dunston of Richmond, and David Dunston and his wife Mary of Glen Allen; and a sister-in-law and her husband, Dorothy and Henry H. Dunston of Glen Allen.

Funeral services will be held Sunday, January 29, 2006 at 2 p.m. at the Central Chapel of Bennett Funeral Home, 3215 Cutshaw Ave., Richmond. Interment will follow in the Forest Lawn Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made to help further the care of Mrs. Elyria Jackson to The Kroontje Center at Warm Hearth, Benevolent Fund, Attn: Melanie Bland, 1000 Litton Lane, Blacksburg, VA 24060.

The family will receive friends from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Saturday at the Bennett Funeral Home.

The Jackson family is in the care of Mullins Funeral Home in Radford. www.mullinsfuneralhome.com