Melvin Randall Kent, often known as Randy, was a loving Father, Grandfather, Nephew, and Friend. Randy, 69, passed away on November 13, 2023. His battle with serious medical problems over the recent years showed his strength in facing life challenges with a positive attitude. We take solace in the fact all things are in the plans of the Lord and Randy will awake anew in the presence of the Lord.
Melvin is survived by his two sons William Randall Kent and Joseph Matthew Hatmaker. He was a proud Grandfather to Levi Henery Hatmaker and beloved Nephew to James Kent. He loved and adored his Mother Odessa Millsap Kent and was a great son who took care of her until her death. Many of his friends, including James Smith, the Aye family, Alice Campbell, Robert Wright, Jane Moss, and Frank Hill knew him as kind and enduring man that held his head high during the best and worst of times.
He loved cooking as he grew up as the child of the chef Billy Ray Kent and cooked in restaurants all along the east coast. He was a skilled carpenter and created his own business as a Specialty Contractor where he worked alongside his good friend Scott Smith and many others. With a plethora of unique hobbies including rock and gemstone collecting, arrowhead hunting, and diving for shark teeth Randy rarely stayed bored. As the many people who knew Melvin could attest, he was a great storyteller often telling stories of his past adventures ranging from his times growing up in the mountains of Tennessee to his life as a fisherman in the Gulf Shores. He lived a life worth living filled with love.
Visitation, followed by a service will be held Friday November 17, 2023, from 5-6pm. A second visitation and service followed by the burial, will be held at Ralph Buckner Funeral Home in his home town of Cleveland Tennessee from 11-1.
