Lee Melvin Scharklet

Drive by Visitation for Melvin “Big M” Scharklet

Friday, April 10, 2020 from 4pm to 7pm at East Robertson High School

In light of the COVID-19 situation, we will have a drive by visitation for Big M.  Immediate family will be present, socially distanced of course.  Everyone else is asked to STAY IN YOUR VEHICLE and simply drive by, give us a shout out, honk your horn, etc. if you wish.  This gives us all a chance to pay our respects to a man who loved his community so much.

Family Funeral Procession

On Saturday April 11th the funeral procession will roll through the high school parking lot between 10:30 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. for a final farewell in route to the cemetery.  Again, we ask if anyone is present to wave farewell, to please stay in your vehicle and social distance. Please do not follow the funeral procession after it passes through the high school parking lot in route to the cemetery.

Memorial Scholarship Fund

For those desiring to honor Big M's memory, the family will be setting up a special scholarship fund so that his life will continue to be reflected in the life of others through education. Please reserve giving those memorial gifts until the scholarship is established, at which time information will be released through his family and through East Robertson High School

Lee Melvin Henry “Big M” Scharklet was born into this world on November 16, 1955 to the late Melvin Lee Henry and the late Eva Mae Scharklet.  He was educated in the Robertson County School system.  Melvin was a member and Steward of Second Grove CME church where he served faithfully.  His working career began with Western Electric Telephone Company, now AT&T, and later moved to St. Thomas Midtown Hospital working in computer services.

Being the happy and joyful child he was, and through his love of dancing, Melvin danced his way into the hearts of all he encountered earning him the childhood nickname “Jitty Bug”.  He was a people person from day one and never met a stranger. Melvin developed many lifelong friends while attending Krisle School and became a very popular figure as he moved on to East Robertson High School, where he picked up the nickname “Big M”.  Upon graduation in the Class of 1973, Big M became increasingly active in the community, coaching little league football, serving as president of the ERHS Booster Club, and being instrumental in the building of the football complex as well as enhancing the development of other areas for the student athletes.

Although Melvin strived for the betterment of all student athletes, his passion was basketball.  For over 40 years he served as assistant basketball coach for East Robertson Boys Basketball program.  On January 24, 2020, he was the first person to be inducted into the East Robertson High School Athletic Hall of Fame, an honor that was well deserved and that he humbly appreciated.  For many years basketball players were excited to hear him introduce them as they took the floor with the flare and pizzazz only he possessed.

On Monday, April 6, 2020, Melvin heard his name called for his final game, and he answered.  He leaves to cherish fond memories his devoted wife Angel Scharklet, loving daughters Kelly and Candice Scharklet; God-mothers Anna Chatman and Sarah Johnson; Mother-in-law Evelyn (Cleophus) Payne; Sister-in-laws Retina Pierce and Lenor (Robert) Price; and Brother-in-laws Henry (Veatrice) Foster and Michael (Laine) Sweatt.  Aunts and Uncles Marie Scharklet, Bertha Henry, Cecil (Angela) Henry, and Jessie Henry.  He also leaves sons, too numerous to name, being the many young men he loved and mentored as Assistant Coach; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and many close and loving friends.

A private graveside service will held Saturday with the Reverend Daryl Ballard presiding and Reverend Robert E. Bell eulogizing.  Pallbearers will be Terry Allen Groves, Taylor Groves, Neil Murphy, Jimbo Vaughn, Kurt Caton, and LaBronce Dalton.  Honorary pallbearers are Tony Austin, David Collie, Raymond Gatewood, Rev. Robert E. Bell, Tommy Davenport, Willie Strain, Jerry Taylor, Wayne Jones, and Rev. Ricky Blakemore.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Lee Melvin Scharklet, please visit our floral store.