Former County Commission Chairman-Probate Judge-Pastor Centre FBC Passes Away
Rev. Melvyn Watson Salter
Centre- Recently the Centre community and communities in Cherokee County and surrounding areas lost a well respected and beloved staple of the area. The Reverend Melvyn Watson Salter passed away on Sunday, April 13th. Rev. Salter was a well known and constant presence in the area, who would love and minister to all who he encountered.
We at WEIS radio have had the opportunity this week to speak with many who knew, served, and ministered alongside him. Many have shared the stories of how he was open to minister and council with anyone he encountered. They pointed out, that he would always do so without judgment. They say there is no way to put a number on or know the number of lives he affected during his lifetime.
Rev Salter began his formal ministry in July of 1957. It began at Inglenook Baptist Church in Birmingham. He went on to get his BA at Samford University in 1965,and his Masters of Divinity from Southeastern Baptist Seminary. His path went through a number of churches, before he was led to Cherokee County, and served as the longest tenured pastor of First Baptist Church of Centre from 1976 until 1998.
It was there that many of the people in the area got to know him. We spoke with church staff that had the pleasure to minister beside him, They talked about his heart for people, and how he never stopped ministering to people, or the staff around him. They also talked of his fun side, where he would sometimes call the church, and change his voice pretending to be someone else and prank them. They talked about his Rook games, and how he loved to meet people working out or walking at the church track.
For those that may not have known him there, many met him through his role in civic duty with the County Commission, as Chairman and Probate Judge of Cherokee County from 2008-2013. On Monday, the Commission honored him with their pledge. It seems it may be more difficult to find someone in the area who had not encountered or been influenced by him in the area, than those who have been. One person stated that he could be viewed as the unofficial minister of Cherokee County.
From 2013 until 2022 he was the Chaplain at Cherokee County Health and Rehab. There he ministered to those who were ill, or recovering from injury. He ministered to their families and staff as well. From 1976-2014 he served in that role at Cherokee Medical Center. In fact, it is nearly impossible to really cover all of the areas and people he had an impact on. Taking a look at his resume will only give us a hint at who all he was able to impact.
Ministerial Resume:
Entered Ministry on July 28, 1957 at Inglenook Baptist Church, Birmingham, Al
Activities of Provocation (Secondary Education)
BA Samford University
Masters of Divinity Southeastern Baptist Seminary
Churches:
1963-1965 Beaver Creek Baptist Church, Linden, AL
1965-1967 Billingsly Baptist Church, Billingsly, AL
1970-1976 Pepperell Baptist Church, Opelika, AL
1976-1998 First Baptist Church of Centre, Centre, AL
1999-2007 D and S Christian Tours, INC
2008-2013 Probate Judge and Commission Chairman of Cherokee County
2013-2022 Chaplain, Cherokee County Health and Rehab
Opelika:
Led in establishing the Chaplain’s Program at East Alabama Medical Center
Led in having the first inter-racial worship service (1972) in Opelika and Lee County
Various Baptist state positions
Served as Chairman of the Advisory Board of Auburn and Jacksonville State BCM Programs
1993- Samford University Pastor of the year for church sizes 750-1000 memberships
Chairman of the Board for the Manor- Baptist Senior Housing Facility
Charter Member of the Centre Rotary Club
Helped to establish the first Hospice Program in Cherokee County
Served as the Chair and Development of Drug Free Cherokee and the Drug Court
Served as Volunteer Chaplain at Cherokee Medical Center from 1976-2014
Led in securing more property for the Cherokee County Rescue Squad
Led in securing EMS for Cherokee County
Helped in the establishment of Carpenter’s for Christ
Since 1976 he worked to try and create better racial relations in Cherokee County.
As Probate Judge he led in the beginning development of Cherokee County Village and led in providing funds for the EMS.
Helped in supporting the Brother Houston Scholarship Fund account of Providence Baptist Church.
:ed om the building of First Baptist and in securing the property for the Recreational Outreach Center.
All for the Glory of God.
To God be the Glory!
It concludes: When I was a young Pastor, I was told I would never make it. But God told me different.
Rev. Salter will be laid to rest this Friday. His legacy, and the impact he has had on so many lives though will continue.
You can view the arrangements and his obituary below:
Rev. Melvyn Watson Salter, age 83, passed away Sunday, April 13, 2025 at his residence. Melvyn served as Probate Judge in Cherokee County from 2008-2013. He entered into the ministry in 1957 at Inglenook Baptist Church in Birmingham, AL and continued in ministry his entire life. He was a chaplain at the local hospital and nursing home. He was a faithful servant to his local community and churches all the years that he served.
Funeral services will be held Friday, April 18, 2025 at 5:00PM at The ROC in Centre, with Bro. Eric Ellis, Rev. Eddie Nation, Rev. Tommy Price, Rev. Cedric Williams, and Rev. Scott Hosey officiating. Burial will follow in Cherokee Memory Gardens. The family will receive friends from 2:30 until the 5:00PM hour of service.
Pallbearers will be: Lanny Starr, Richard Lindsey, Johnny Roberts, Tom Wiley, Steve Sumners, Randall Wilkie, Charles Hincy, Frog West, Danny Smith, Jay Jordan, Vincent Oliphant, Billy Rex Miller, and B.J. Major.
Honorary pallbearers will be: John Evan’s Sunday School Class, Monday Night Rook Club, Coosa Corner Breakfast Club, Tom “Tiny” Owens, Joe McElroy, Dr. James Walker, and John Coggin.
Melvyn is survived by his loving wife Doris of 61 years, son; Duane (Erin) Salter of Columbia, SC; daughter; Sheri (Jerry) Green, of Centre, AL; grandchildren; Hunter Huffman, Grayson Huffman, and Hayden Huffman, sisters; Mary Jo (Neal) Sanders and Linda (Ray) Hayes, brother in law; Robert Williams, and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his Mother and Father; Roy and Ovell Salter, sisters; Marie Williams and Betty Dunning, and nephew; Dale Williams.
In lieu of flowers, the family has asked according to Melvyn’s wishes, to have donations made to his granddaughter Grayson Huffman c/o Sheri Green. Address: 10640 County Road 22 Centre, AL 35960.
All of the Glory to God.
To God be the Glory!
Well done my good and faithful servant.
Perry Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.
