Back to Obituaries Gregory Funeral Service | Gastonia, NC

Melvin Graham

Passed 03/21/2021

Obituary For Melvin Graham

Melvin Graham, Jr. was born on January 11, 1935 in Mt. Holly, North Carolina. He was called to eternal rest on Sunday; March 21, 2021. He was the son of the late Melvin and Allie McDowell Graham of Mt. Holly, NC.

Melvin was known commonly as “Cooter Bug.” He was a member of Springfield Memorial Baptist Church in Stanley, North Carolina. He worked for Duke Power and the city of Mount Holly. He worked for Freightliner in 1998. Cooter Bug enjoyed spending time with his family and traveling for bike rallies. He was a faithful member of the Cannibals Bike Club and a honorary member of Chariots of Thunders Bike Club.

He is preceded in death by his wife: Doris Graham, a daughter: Cheryl Graham, sons: Melvin Maurice Graham and Palmer Blackshear; grandchild: Bianca M. Lee, sisters: Mrs. Hazel G. Burch and Nancy Graham and a brother: Howard Graham.

Melvin leaves behind his sons: Zeb Graham (Lesa) of Atlanta, GA, Hazel “Tony” Graham (Robin) of Greensboro, NC, Derrek Graham (Melanie) of Charlotte, NC, Casey Graham (Melinda) of Belmont, NC and Christopher Graham (Danielle) of Charlotte, NC; special friend: Patricia Gill; twenty-six grandchildren, thirty great grandchildren; three great great-grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Viewing at the funeral home on Wednesday from 11 until 8

Funeral: Thursday; Springfield Baptist Church Life Center, 12 noon

Visitation: thirty minutes before the service

Interment: Springfield Baptist Church Cemetery, Stanley

Masks required at all services and funeral will be live on funeral home facebook page


Download funeral program

Condolences & Tributes

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I wish i known i would of paid my respects to this great man. I had the honor of knowing melvin for many years. I decided to stop one day when he was outside making his familys memorial on his property. I had a blast with him showing him how to lay stone and honor helping him because it ment so much to melvin doing this for his family. We grew to be very close friends. Alot of times coming home from work id stop by and we would sit on his porch laughing and talking about everything. Im going to miss you melvin alot. Hope you see my brother jason who he knew as well in heaven. Thank you for being a great friend to me. Rest well Your friend Dave

I'm gonna miss you UNC! I won't be able to pass the Park or a Waffle House without thinking about you. Treva(Egg)Graham

My heartfelt sympathy to the family. I will truly miss UNC.

Veronica Graham Crumbly

We are praying for the family in the loss of your father. Danny & Velma Horne

Nikki and Family, May God bless and strengthen you in the days to come, Lisa Michelle Simpson.

My deepest sympathy to the family. Cooter bug was an amazing,loving and thoughtful person. I will truly miss him. God has you now.

Deepest sympathy to the family of Melvin (cooter bug) Graham. Ernestine Williams, Daytona Beach, florida

My sympathy to the family Melvin (cooter bug) Graham. James Hendricks, Daytona Beach, Florida

To the family of Melvin Graham, Jr., you all have my deepest sympathy on the lost of your father. Melvin "Cooter Bug" was an inspiration to me as he told me many stories. He loved his church. He loved his boys. His boys showed a lot love for their father, including nephews, nieces, and family showed him love. I write this from my heart. "Cooter Bug" was genuine. Good bye for now my friend you will never be forgotten. Sincerely,

So sorry for your loss 🙏🏻 We will be praying for the family. Marty and Patty Collins

Our staff will continue to keep your family in our prayers. We thank you for allowing us to serve your family.

Gregory Funeral Service | Gastonia, NC

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