Eric Maurice Melette

On the morning of Tuesday, December 21, 2021 at 10:49am, an angel had descended from Heaven to Good Samaritan Hospital in West Islip, New York and went to the room of Eric Maurice Melette. The angel whispered and said to him: "You have suffered long enough and fought hard enough. The Lord sent me to tell you, "It is time for you to take your rest and be at peace."

Eric Maurice Melette was born May 18, 1963, to Jacquelyn P. Melette and the late Booker T. Melette in Mahattan, New York. At the young age of 9, Eric wanted to live with his maternal grandmother, the late Galena V. Pickett because he did not want her to live alone anymore.

Upon moving to Mullins, Eric was educated in the public schools of Marion County, graduating in the class of 1981, which was the first graduating class from the present Mullins High School. Eric loved sports and was a great football player during his high school years. After graduating high school, he joined the US Navy and was stationed in Charleston SC for four years. During those years while in service, Nina Wheeler and Eric became proud parents of a little girl named Jessica.

After his life as a sailor, Eric decided to remain in Charleston, working at the ship yard for many years. He also worked at various restaurants as a cook which cooking turned out to be what he had a passion for. During his years in Charleston, he met and married Gwen Holmes and to that union, 3 children were born; Eric, Sade and Nicholas and he also became a father to Curtis and David.

In the mid 90's, Eric moved back to New York in Westbury, Long Island. He was employed at North Shore Long Island Jewish Hospital as a kitchen supervisor and also worked as the head chef at a restaurant called "The Spare Rib." In his spare time, he took an online course in culinary arts at Johnson & Wales University.

Eric was well loved by so many and never met a stranger. He loved spending time with his family and friends every chance he got. The unconditional love he had in his heart made him fight hard for his loved ones. He was preceded in death by his father, Booker T. Melette and twin granddaughters.

Eric leaves to cherish his fondest memories, his mother, Jacquelyn P. Melette of the homestead, his children; Jessica L. Wheeler of Mullins SC, Eric (BriShanna) Holmes Sr. of Sumter SC, Sade Melette of Charleston SC, Nicholas Holmes of Sumter SC, Matthew "David" Holmes of Tucson AZ, Curtis Holmes of Las Vegas NV, his grandchildren; Ericka Holmes, Destiny Holmes, Madison Holmes, Trinity Holmes, Eric Holmes Jr, all of Sumter SC, Sadeisha Giden, Summer Melette both of Charleston SC, Terriona Holmes of Las Vegas NV, and La'lynna Serenity-Ann & La'lena Harmony-Ann Rodriguez-Melette both of Long Island NY, his siblings; La Wanda B. Foxworth of Mullins SC, Minister Sebrena Melette-Boone of Monroe Township NJ, Breon Melette of Charleston SC, Renee Melette of Jamaica Queens NY, his stepmother, Joann Melette of Jamaica Queens NY, a godson, Raymond Wooden of Westbury NY, his caregivers;  a faithful and devoted friend, Calvin Forbes and a devoted and loving cousin, Lorenzo Hicks both of Copiaque NY, his best friend of over 40 years, John C. Reed of Mullins SC, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

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