Melachi Lee Wilson

Melachi Lee Wilson, 72, passed away on Tuesday, March 11, 2025 in Norfolk, VA after a brief illness.

The world just got a little quieter without Melachi Lee Wilson, but rest assured, the laughs, the fun, and the unmistakable boisterous personality he carried wherever he went will never be forgotten. Our Middle Buster, muddin’, truckin’, flirtin' farmer was a force of nature, and you always knew when he was in the room – whether it was with his signature loud laugh, his crazy sense of humor, or just his larger-than-life presence.

Lee was the best at everything he did. Whether it was froggin', jiggin', spotlight hunting, or just fishing for the next big one, he was always the guy who knew exactly how to make it an adventure. A son, brother, dad, uncle, and granddaddy like no other, Lee wore his love for his family proudly. His heart and soul belonged to his kids and grandkids, and it was a love that was loud, unconditional, and filled with laughter.

His family includes his loving children, Lisa (Jon) Lovelace, Leslie (Jason) Curlings, Dewayne Wilson, Tracy Wilson, and Christopher Wilson. His grandkids, Joshua Wilson, Lucas James, Lucy Wilson, Joey Scott, Jacob Curlings, Hunter Johnson, and Micheal Johnson, were his pride and joy.

He’s also survived by his sisters, Trudy Mamie Wilson and Connie (Rudy) Cone. And though his mother, Alice Wilson, father, Arrie (Man) Wilson, and sister Margaret Sawyer have passed on before him, they are forever in his heart.

Beyond his loud laugh and infectious smile, Lee was a man of incredible talent. He could whittle anything out of wood, fix anything that seemed broken (and probably teach you how to fix it too, with a grin on his face), and make life just a little bit more fun. There wasn’t a problem too big or small for Lee to tackle, and he always knew how to make things run like they were brand new.

Lee's love for life, family, and his ability to turn the simplest moment into a treasured memory will be missed more than words can say. He had a way of making everyone around him feel special and loved. The world won’t be the same without him, but his spirit will live on in every laugh, every story, and every moment of joy he shared with those lucky enough to know him.

Rest easy, Middle Buster. You’ll always have us smiling, and your memory will forever be full of love, laughter, and a whole lot of loud personality.

A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, March 29, 2025 at 3:00 p.m. at Miller & Van Essendelft Chapel, 1125 Harvey Point Road, Hertford, NC. Please share a memory with the family with the Online Guestbook, below.