Melvin Lee Black, Jr.

Mr. Melvin 'Lee' Black, Jr., 73, of Elberton, husband of 52 years to Wanda Elaine Turman Black, joined his Lord and Savior on 7 June 2025, at WellStar Medical College of Georgia in Augusta, surrounded by his loving family, ascending to heaven on his "biker" wings.

Born Melvin Lee Black Jr, in Elberton, GA on August 27, 1951, he went by "Lee" from his early childhood. One of five children, he is preceded in death by his parents, Melvin Lee Black, Sr. and Thora Cannon Black; Along with Wanda, he is survived by his sons: Brandon (Len) Black and Wesley (Mindy) Black; grandchildren: Brett, Hunter, Leannda, Walker, Cole-Jett, and Kayleigh; great-grandchild, Canler; and siblings: William (Lucy) Black, Steve (Joyce) Black, Madonna (Lamar) Williams, and Lisa Black; and a host of other relatives and friends.

Lee was a lifelong resident of Elbert County, and he was a member of the Elberton Church of God. His career was spent in Elbert County's world renown granite industry where he literally carved a reputation as a top-notch sandblaster, putting the finishing touches on granite monuments, that became some of the finest stone memorials that left Elberton to serve world-wide, as everlasting tributes in buildings, public displays and for those in a final state of rest. Lee became known for and sought out for his specialty "praying hands" and highly detailed roses that were featured on many of his sandblasted granite masterpieces. Priceless monuments could easily be ruined during the sandblasting process, but Lee's rare, unmatched shaping and carving talents earned the life-long trust of every manufacturer in the granite industry.

As was the case for many Black clan family members and close relatives, Lee was infused from an early age with the passion to hunt small game. As a full-fledged country boy, he grew up during a time, when hunting led to what's for supper as opposed to today's Bass Pro hobbyists, part-time outdoorsman, who can't even clean what they kill. If Lee was given 3 shotgun shells to rabbit hunt with, he was expected to bring home 3 cottontails for the dinner table. As much as he loved to hunt and cook wild game, Lee was always expected to bring his home-grown turnip greens, prepared as a 5-star rated restaurant, mouth-watering delicacy, to large extended Black family gatherings at Thanksgiving and Christmas. You could forget left-overs.

When not hunting or creating intricate works of rock art, Lee enjoyed heading straight into the wind, by flying planes and riding motorcycles. Despite a horrific motorcycle accident as a teenager, he did not let those scars prevent him from cruising on two wheels at every opportunity and sharing the thrills of biking with his grandchildren, who he loved and cherished.

While he has departed from a short adventure on earth and completed his course in faith, he will join other legendary outdoorsmen he grew up with, in pain-free pursuit of an endless supply of wildlife, provided by our gracious Almighty Father.

Memorial services celebrating Lee's life will be conducted on Saturday, June 14, at 11:00 a.m. in the Memorial Chapel of Berry Funeral Home. The family will receive friends from 10:00-10:45a.m. prior to the service. At other times, the family may be contacted at the home of Brandon and Len Black, 2040 Harpers Ferry Road, Elberton.

Flowers are accepted and contributions may be made in his memory to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, T.J. & Friends Foundation, or Wounded Warriors.

Those wishing may sign the online guestbook at berryfh.com.

Berry Funeral Home & Crematory of Elberton is respectfully in charge of arrangements for Mr. Melvin 'Lee' Black, Jr.