Mr. Melvin “Jam Up” Wilson, age 89, of Douglas, Georgia passed away Monday morning, July 20, 2026, at Vista Park Health and Rehabilitation in Douglas, Georgia, following a lengthy decline in health.
Mr. Wilson was born February 7, 1937, in Pearson, Georgia, to the late Richard Sampson Wilson and the late Leeona Little Wilson. He was married to the late Evelyn Genelle Crosby Wilson for 57 years prior to her passing in 2017. Together they raised three beautiful children who gave them a legacy full of grandchildren and great grandchildren. Following his retirement from Douglas Propane where he worked for more than 30 years, he spent many years working for the Coffee County Road Department where he retired again in 2008. He loved piddling with things, working on tractors, and whatever needed fixing. He enjoyed farming and over the years he raised cows, hogs and vegetable gardens. His greatest joy of all came from time spent with his family, especially the grandchildren, and sitting on the front porch watching cars pass. Along with his wife and parents, Mr. Wilson was preceded in death by two brothers: William John Wilson and Warnie Wilson.
Mr. Wilson is survived by his three children: Jerome Wilson, Tina W. Newman, and Willie Wilson and wife, Lynn, all of Douglas, Georgia; six grandchildren: Randy Wilson (Shannon), Joey Wilson (Maya), Courtney W. Adams (Bradley), Kenny D. Newman, Alyssa W. Taft (Bubba), and Zach Wilson (Ariel); five great-grandchildren: Kaylee Adams (Gatlin), Keirsten Adams, Grayson Taft, Griffin Taft, and Banks Wilson; one brother, Richard Sampson Wilson, Jr. and wife, Louise, of Douglas, Georgia; one sister, Dorothy Lee “Dot” McKinnon of Douglas, Georgia; along with a number of nieces, nephews and extended family members.
Mr. Wilson’s family will receive friends on Wednesday evening, July 22, 2026, from 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM in the Ricketson Funeral Home Chapel. His funeral service will be held on Thursday afternoon at 2:00 PM in the Ricketson Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Buddy Jordan, Rev. Gene Chaney, Rev. David Davis and Rev. Paul Womack officiating. Interment will follow in Mt. Zion Cemetery.
Active pallbearers will include Randy Wilson, Joey Wilson, Ken Newman, Zach Wilson, Bradley Adams, and Bubba Taft. Honorary pallbearers will include Stanley O’Steen, Bronson Coffee, John Coffee, Revas Kyser, Cecil Newell, Steve Vickers, and the staff of Vista Park Health and Rehabilitation.
Condolences, kind words and fond memories may be shared with Mr. Wilson’s family at www.ricketsonfuneralhome.com.
Mr. Wilson’s arrangements have been entrusted to the kind and compassionate staff of Ricketson Funeral Home, Inc. of Douglas, Georgia.