Melvin Lavon McKay, age 92, went home to be with the Lord on September 15, 2026 at his daughter's home on the McKay Farm in Opp, Alabama.

Melvin Lavon was born June 8, 1934, in Opp, Alabama, in the Beulah Community. He was the son of the late Dewey and Emma Page McKay; the grandson of the late O.J. and Sidney Donaldson McKay and the late James Harvey and Ruby Smith Page.

He was employed by the Opp Cotton Mill for 48 years. He began as a teen and worked in various positions over the years, with his last position being Supervisor of Loom Maintenance.

Jesus and His Church were important to him. He was a member of the Opp Church of Christ for 57 years. Over the years he was involved with many programs of the Church. Of special influence in his life were Roger Dill and Raymond Elliott, who mentored him when he came into the Church. They became special friends who hunted together and worked together in the Church.

The beauties of nature affirmed to Melvin that God is the all-powerful Creator of the universe. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping, archery and other outdoor activities with his family and friends.

The family farm was close to his heart. From his childhood years on through his adult years with a family of his own, it was a place where many hours were given to farming, growing a garden and an orchard. All the family spent many hours roaming through the fields and woods and looked forward to that special time each year around the holidays with a bonfire, roasting hot dogs and marshmallows, and fireworks to celebrate.

He had a God-given talent for music and taught himself to play the guitar and other instruments. He blessed his family with many hours of listening pleasure as he played along with Bluegrass artists.

Melvin was preceded in death by his loving wife of 57 years, Virginia Mae Morgan McKay; his parents, Dewey and Emma Page McKay; and two sisters, Gwen Dorman, and Joyce Fleming. He is survived by three daughters; Glenda (Taylor) Bradford of Sylacauga, Linda Clarkson of Opp, and Joan (Terry) Stewart of Gantt. He was blessed with six grandchildren; Amanda Stewart (Kelly) Windham, Emily Bradford (Chris) Wilkins, Jonathan (Heather) Stewart, Andrew (Tamberli) Clarkson, John (Courtney) Bradford and Melanie Clarkson (Stuart) Mock. He was also blessed with nine great grandchildren, one great-great grandchild, and many extended family members and friends.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 11:00 am Saturday, September 19, 2026 from Wyatt Funeral Home Chapel with burial following in Beulah Cemetery. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service. Trey Poole will be officiating and Jay Mikel will be leading the congregational singing. Serving as pallbearers will be John Bradford, Andrew Clarkson, Stuart Mock, Jonathan Stewart, Kelly Windham, Vaughn Bowers, & Richard Moore.

Floral arrangements are accepted and memorials may be made to the Opp Church of Christ.

The family extends our appreciation to our church families, our friends, and Aveanna Hospice who supported us through his declining health.