February 13 1946 October 18 2022
Obituary Please share a memory of Melvin to include in a keepsake book for family and friends. View Tribute Book Melvin Alexander Burruss of Virginia, formerly of Branford, died October 18, 2022 in Charlottesville, VA. He was the beloved husband of Diana Burruss. Melvin was born February 13, 1946 in New Haven, son of the late Melvin and Anna Griffin Burruss. His early life was filled with sports. He was an accomplished high school athlete in basketball and football where he received numerous recognitions. He graduated from Branford High School in 1964 and joined the U. S. Navy. When asked by his daughter Timnetra why he joined the Navy, Melvin replied that the line was shorter and, therefore, he believed he would have more opportunities to advance. This mindset embodied Melvin Burruss…work hard, but smart. He served until 1971. During his time in the Navy, he completed basic training at the Naval Training Center in Great Lakes, IL, completed additional training in electrical engineering, and studied at the radar school at the Naval Air Station in Memphis. Education was important to Melvin. He instilled in his children that an education was invaluable and counseled his daughter, Trisha, that an education was something that no one could take away from you. Melvin earned his Bachelor of Science in accounting from the University of California at Berkeley in 1973. He received the Ford Foundation Scholarship. He earned his Master of Business Administration in finance from Stanford University School of Business in 1975. While at Stanford, he received a two-year grant through the Consortium for Graduate Study in Management. Additionally, Melvin earned his Juris Doctor from Florida State University College of Law in 1993. Melvin loved the law. Although he entered the profession later in life, his vast experience working for large companies that specialized in sales, financial services, and real estate gave Melvin a unique perspective on most issues. He was a trusted counselor and enjoyed serving within the legal community. He enjoyed discussing legal issues with his colleagues and daughters. He was a critical thinker who enjoyed engaging in the hard conversations to drive transformative change. He could engage in conversations on anything from local community issues, politics, finance, and the stock market. He always made time for the small conversations, such as almost daily conversations with his children and grandchildren. He stayed connected to those he loved through phone calls, Facetime, and visits. He was someone you could depend on to be there. Melvin was a member of numerous organizations and boards and served in a variety of leadership positions. Some of those organizations include: Omega Psi Psi Fraternity, Inc., African-American Men of Westchester (served as president for more than twelve years), African-American Chamber of Commerce of Westchester, Charlottesville Albemarle Regional Chamber of Commerce of Westchester, Charlottesville Albemarle Regional Chamber of Commerce, Louisa County Public School Superintendent Advisory Board, Louisa County NAACP, Directors of Louisa County Broadband Authority, New Hill Corporation (served as Board Chair), Louisa County Historical Society, Louisa VFW Post 8947, Charlottesville Bar Association, Louisa County Democratic Party, The Brothers in Charlottesville and the State Bar of Virginia. As the Executive Producer and host of The Neighborhood Law Center, a program that aired on Charlottesville’s Community Access Channel 12, he addressed legal issues impacting the community. Melvin also received numerous awards recognizing his commitment to the community and his willingness to give his time. Some of those awards include, Omicron Iota Chapter of Omega Psi Psi Fraternity, Inc. Uplift Award in 2006; Black Democrats of Westchester Judge Thurgood Marshall Award in 2013; and Who’s Who 2014. Melvin’s life journey ended on October 18, 2022. His son, Gregory preceded him in death. Melvin is survived by Diana, his wife of twenty-seven years; his daughters, Trisha and Timnetra; his son, Charles; his stepchildren, Evan and Lorena Lowery. He is also survived by his brother James; his sister Beverly; his granddaughters, Jordan, Brooklyn, Lexie and Chelsea; his grandsons, Nicholas and Josiah Burruss; his great-grandchildren, Charlie and Nikson; his nieces, Fontaine and Anna; his nephews, Albert and Dwight, and all that loved him. A funeral service will be held Wednesday, November 9, 2022 at 1:00 PM at St. Stephen’s AME Zion Episcopal Church, 31 Rogers Street, Branford. Burial will follow in Branford Center Cemetery. Read more
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Melvin A Burruss February 13 1946 October 18 2022.
Clancy w S Branford Funeral Home Inc
Death notice for the town of: Branford, state: Connecticut