Melvin Douglas Wright, 61, of Covington and formerly of Washington, DC, died Monday December 26, 2016 at Lewis Gale Medical Center in Salem. He was born November 2, 1955 in Bath County, a son of Genevieve Wright McKenzie of Macon, GA and the late James Kein. In addition to his father he was preceded in death by his step father Lloyd McKenzie; a sister Demeritry Valdez ;grandparents, Eugene and Emma Wright; uncle Tyrone Wright and a cousin Kevin Wright. Melvin was a graduate of Valley High School in Bath County. He was a former cook at Red Lobster and was member of Temple Church of God In Christ in Washington, DC. He loved to cook, was a pet lover, a great dancer, loved to watch basketball and football games and read the newspaper from front to back. He had a special love for his Aunt Deborah Hall, a niece Genevieve Hobbs, and niece Laura Wright. In addition to his mother is survived by two brothers, Kirk G. Wright of Patrick Henry and Robert Wright of Covington; three sisters, Renee D. Wright of Covington; Louise Wallace and husband Jerome of Roanoke and Sandra Patterson and husband Tracy of Macon, GA; four children, Melvin Wright; Marvin Wright and Michael Wright, all of Washington, DC and Tiffany Merchant of North Carolina; 5 grandchildren; two aunts, Deborah W. Hall and husband Hurbert and Jean Taylor and husband Nathaniel both of Covington; two uncles, Gilbert Wright and Gregory Wright and wife Alice both of Maryland ; a number of nieces and nephews and a special friend Debbie Armentrout of Covington. His body has been cremated. The memorial service will be held Friday, December 30, 2016 at 3:00 PM in the Arritt Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Nathaniel Taylor officiating. Service Friday, December 30, 2016 03:00 PM Arritt Funeral Home Chapel 1102 S. Highland Ave. Covington,Virginia - 24426