Melvin Turner Jr

With heavy hearts and profound gratitude we pause to acknowledge a life well-lived, by Melvin Turner Jr. Melvin Jr. was a devoted husband, loving father, cherished grandfather, nephew, uncle, cousin, and steadfast friend.  He departed this life on February 8, 2025, peacefully at home with the love of his family, leaving behind a legacy of strength, love, generosity, and unwavering faith.

Melvin Jr. was born October 17, 1953, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to the late Melvin Turner Sr, (Ideal, GA) and Grace (Scott)Turner (Timmonsville, SC). He was the third of eight children and from the moment he entered this world, Melvin Jr. was a light to all who knew him. He had a magnetic personality and enjoyed family and friends. Melvin was educated through the Pittsburgh Public School system from elementary to high school and graduated from Fifth Ave High School in 1972. Melvin Jr loved playing basketball and baseball and even had a tryout with the Pittsburgh Pirates. It was high school where he would meet his wife, Betty Ely and they would marry on November 30, 1974.

Melvin Jr. was a man who knew how to have a good time and a hard worker. In his younger days, he enjoyed being the life of the party, always ready with a joke, a dance move, or a contagious laugh that could fill a room. He loved good company, great music, and the kind of fun that kept the night going. But no matter how many parties he attended or how many good times he chased, there was always something missing—something deeper that no celebration could fill.

It wasn’t until he found Christ that he realized the joy he had been searching for wasn’t in the parties, the crowds, or the fleeting excitement of the moment. True joy, true peace, and true fulfilment came from his relationship with God. When he surrendered his life to Christ, everything changed. The fun he once sought in the world paled in comparison to the joy of salvation, the peace of knowing he was redeemed, and the fulfilment of walking in God’s purpose.

He didn’t stop being the life of the party—he just found a new kind of celebration. His joy became rooted in faith, in family, and in the blessings of a life transformed. He still laughed, he still danced, and he still lit up every room he entered—but now, it was with a heart that had been made whole. He celebrated life with a new perspective, knowing that every day was a gift from God and every moment was an opportunity to spread love and encouragement.

His story is a testament to the truth that nothing in this world can satisfy like the love of Christ. He found what he had been searching for all along—not in temporary pleasures, but in an eternal promise. And because of that, he leaves behind not just memories of laughter and good times, but a legacy of faith, redemption, and the unshakable joy of a man who had truly found his purpose.

He was a man of deep conviction and unwavering dedication to his family. A true provider in every sense, he built a life centered around love, faith, and hard work.  As a father, he led by example, providing wisdom, discipline, and unconditional love, instilling in his children values of integrity, resilience, and hard work. As a grandfather, he was a source of boundless joy, laughter, and life lessons, always ready with an encouraging word, a story from his past, or a playful joke. Melvin was a giver. He loved to vacation and would spare no expense, ensuring his family had at least one annual trip. A natural leader and true provider, Melvin Jr. built a thriving janitorial business that not only sustained his family but also provided opportunities for others. He was a man who believed in lifting others up, and Miracle Touch Janitorial offers employment with benefits and pensions—ensuring that their employees are cared for just as he cared for his own. He took pride in his work, not just for the success it brought, but for the lives it impacted. Through his dedication and entrepreneurial spirit, he became a pillar of his community, known for his generosity, fairness, and willingness to help others find their paths to success.

Beyond his business expertise, Melvin Jr was a great athlete, excelling in both basketball and baseball. With a competitive spirit and a natural talent, he left a lasting impression on teammates and opponents alike. His smooth jump shot, sharp reflexes, and strategic mindset made him a fierce competitor and an inspiring leader.  He carried those same principles into every aspect of his life, always pushing himself and others to be the best they could be. His love for the game never faded; he found joy in watching endless games and passing down his sports knowledge to his children and grandchildren.

A man of undeniable style, Melvin Jr. was always impeccably dressed, turning heads wherever he went. Whether in a tailored suit, or a crisp casual outfit, he exuded confidence and class. But his charisma went beyond his attire—he had the rare ability to captivate a room with his words. He was a candid conversationalist, a firm believer in pure honesty, never sugarcoating the truth but, always delivering it with wisdom and heart. His words carried weight, often leaving those around him with a new perspective, a lesson learned, or a belly full of laughter.

Above all, Melvin Jr. was a man of faith. Having found his deliverance, he walked confidently in his relationship with Christ, never failing to express his gratitude for the grace that carried him through life’s challenges. Melvin Jr. served diligently as a Deacon and eventually an Elder at Potter’s House Ministries. Melvin Jr’s gift as an evangelist won many to Christ and was never ashamed to share the gospel and his testimony of deliverance and regaining his family. Later he would join his family and become a faithful member of Macedonia Church of Pittsburgh. 

One of the most remarkable chapters of Melvin Jr.’s life was his journey of redemption—a testimony to the boundless grace of God and the transforming power of salvation. Like all of us, he faced struggles and made mistakes, but through Christ, he found a love that was restored, a grace that renewed, and a mercy that covered every past misstep. His life was a living testament to the truth that no one is beyond God’s reach, and no heart is too broken to be made whole.

When he surrendered his life to Christ, he found a new purpose, a new identity, and a peace that the world could not offer. He walked in deliverance, no longer bound by the weight of his past but instead stepping forward in the freedom of God’s promises. He embraced his faith with conviction, testifying of the goodness of God and the miracles that can happen when a person surrenders fully to Him. Through salvation, Melvin Jr. became a different man—a man of faith, integrity, and love. He was no longer just a provider for his family in the physical sense but, also a spiritual covering, leading by example, praying over his loved ones, and encouraging those around him to seek God’s grace for themselves. He knew firsthand that redemption was real, that change was possible, and that God’s love could heal even the deepest wounds.

To those who may have lost hope, he would have been the first to say that there is no life too broken for God to restore. His story was one of second chances, (including marrying the love of his life twice) and proof that a life transformed by Christ can become a light to others. He lived his final years not just as a man who had found success but as a man who had found true freedom, joy, and purpose in the Lord.

His greatest legacy is not just the love he gave or the life he built, but the undeniable testimony of a man who once walked one path, but through Christ, found another—one that led him straight into the arms of his Savior. Though we grieve his passing, we rejoice in the assurance that he is now resting in eternal glory, fully healed, fully whole, and embraced by the One who redeemed him. His life will continue to inspire those who knew him, reminding us all that through God’s grace, anyone can be made new.

Though our hearts are heavy with sorrow, we find comfort in knowing that he has received his heavenly reward. His legacy will live on in the lives he touched, the wisdom he shared, and the love he gave so freely. His impact on this world was immeasurable, and while we grieve his absence, we also celebrate the remarkable life he lived.

Rest well, Melvin Jr. Your work here is done, and your reward is eternal. We will love you always.

Melvin Jr. Was preceded in death by his parent Melvin Sr. and Grace Turner and brother Marvin Turner.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Betty Jean Turner, his loving children, Keshona (Alexander), Brittany (Dominic), and his adored grandchildren, Kairos, Keyel, and Diamond. His siblings, Mae Parr-Jones (James), Clarence Turner, Calvin Turner, Jerome Turner (Shiela), Kathleen Webb (Jerry), Andrea Stalling (Leon), beloved aunts, nieces, nephews, cousins, and a host of friends who will carry his memory forward with love and gratitude.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Melvin Turner Jr, please visit our floral store.