Obituary

Mr. Melvin E. Dasher, Jr., 74, of Palatka, FL, entered the sunset of life Thursday, January 9, 2025 at Radiant Nursing Home in Palatka, FL, surrounded by his loving family and friends. He was born Saturday, May 31, 1948 to Mr. Melvin Dasher, Sr. and Amy Lee (Francis) Dasher, he was their third born of four children. Melvin was educated at Central Academy High School “Bulldogs”, Class of 1968. He was on the football team and played the position of linebacker. He sustained injuries in one of the games that left him partially paralyzed on one side. After graduating from Central Academy, he later went to Job Corps in 1970 for six months. He worked at Florida Packing in San Mateo, Florida for many years. In 1975, he met the love of his life, Edna Pearl Butler from Folkston, GA, after visiting his aunt Lena Mae Spatcher is where he met her. On Sunday, November 5, 1978, they were united in holy matrimony until death did them apart on March 21, 1997. Melvin was an active member, where he served as Deacon at Refuge Church of Palatka, FL, under the leadership of the late Bishop John M. McNair of Jacksonville, FL. He enjoyed spending time with family. He cooked the best chicken and rice pilaf and he loved to fish with his sisters, Stella and Mag. He enjoyed playing cards, going to the dog track, shooting pool, digging baits and collecting cans. He worked part time as a handyman with Mr. Hamp.
Mr. Dasher was preceded in death by his wife, Edna Pearl Butler Dasher; son, Terrell DeMarcus Dasher; parents, Melvin, E. Dasher, Sr. and Amy Lee (Frances) Dasher; Brother-in-law, Oliver Johnson, Sr.; sisters-in-law, Glennette Dasher and Effie James; father and mother-in-law, Johnnie and Luvenia Lewis, Folkston, GA; son-in-law, Ronald L. Hughes. He leaves to cherish his memories, four children, Pamela Hughes, Palatka, Melvin E. (Chela) Dasher III, East Palatka, Eric Butler (Shirley Brooks), Palatka, and Donqua Dasher, Palatka; goddaughter, Glenda McNair, Jacksonville, Florida, nine grandchildren, Jakobi Dasher, Chloe Dasher, East Palatka, Lataka (Marvin) King, Palm Coast, Lakisha Williams, Ronesha (Michael)Thomas, both of Palatka, Jibril (Jasmine) Butler, Seattle, Washington, Tevin Wilson, Tennessee Tanique Wilson, Jacksonville, Jim’Mya Bellamy, Palatka, and KD Kevin Myles, Palatka; Seven great grandchildren, Caidyn, Olivia, Kyleigh, Karsyn , Kelzey, Matthew, and Anthony; brother, Ben Dasher, Sr., Palatka; sisters, Stella Mae Johnson and Mary “Mag” Dasher; brothers-in-law, Lewis (Ann) Butler Folkston, GA and David James, Jacksonville; sisters-in-law, Faye Dell Lewis, Brenda Griffin, Laura Lewis, Folkston, GA, and Sara Butler McFadden Pierson, GA; best friends, Marvin Caldwell, Fort Lauderdale and Frank Hall, Palatka; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and dear friends.