Mr. Joda Melson Jr. was born January 20, 1960 in Savannah, TN to his parents the late Mr. Joda Melson Sr. and Mrs. Virginia Franks Melson. Mr. Melson spent his formative years in the Olive Hill Community in Hardin County developing a deep love for nature and spending time with his friends and neighbors, a past time he would carry throughout the entirety of his life and attended school in Savannah Central High School. He was a responsible, hardworking and a excellent provider for his family, raising his two children with the same values and appreciation for the outdoors and the loved ones they hold dear. He spent his occupational years as a truck driver serving over 40 years in profession he loved. Mr. Melson was a spiritually minded man as he was a member of the Shady Grove Freewill Baptist Church in Olive Hill, TN. In his leisure time he could be found deer hunting, riding the back roads, taking the extra time to visit with his friends and loved ones along his travels and fishing in the Indian Creek. However, he held no other moments in life closest to his heart than the moments he spent with his children and especially his grandchildren. Mr. Joda Melson Jr. passed from this life surrounded by family on January 16, 2026 in Iuka Ms. making his stay on earth some 65 years, 11 months and 27 days.
Those left to honor his memory include his daughter Nacole McDuffy husband Jeremy of Iuka, MS, his son Jeremiah Melson wife Addie of Olive Hill, TN; siblings include his brothers Richard Melson wife Nora and Daniel Melson wife Debbie of Waynesboro, TN; grandchildren Jevan McDuffy and Jonah McDuffy both of Iuka, MS and Brooks Berry of Olive Hill, TN; several nieces and nephews, as well as many other family members, friends and dear loved ones.
Funeral Services will be held at the Shady Grove Freewill Baptist Church in Olive Hill, TN Sunday January 18, 2026 at 2:00 pm with Johnny Burns and Jeremy McDuffy officiating. Burial will follow in the Olive Hill Cemetery.
Visitation will begin Saturday January 17, 2026 at 5:00 pm till 8:00 pm and again on Sunday January 18, 2026 from 11:00 am till 2:00 pm all at the Shady Grove Freewill Baptist Church in Olive Hill, TN.
Those honored to serve as pallbearers include Rick Franks, Robert Simmons, Bar T Rich, Devin Melson, David Franks and Steve Moore.
Honorary pallbearers include Joe Morton, Stacey Doyle, Chevy Melson, Vance Melson, Benny McLin and Stephen Franks.
