Melvin Monroe Cephas

Melvin Monroe Cephas, 89 of Cambridge, departed this life on Tues., Dec. 25, 2012 at Dorchester General Hospital. Born May 23, 1923 in Cambridge, he was the son of the late Thomas and Hennie Spicer Cephas. He attended the public schools in Dorchester County and served in the United States Army from 1941 to 1945 when he was honorably discharged. Mr. Cephas had many skills, brick layer, carpenter and plumber. He was employed with Bumble Bee Tuna and as a Custodian for the Dorchester County Board of Education until his retirement in 1985. He continued with his carpentry skills until his health failed. On January 29, 1960, Melvin was joined in Holy Matrimony to the former Martha Lewis. He attended Holy Temple Church of God in Christ where Bishop Eure was the pastor. Mr. Cephas was an active member of VFW Post 87 and DAV Old Line State #16. His hobby was delivering the newspaper to his family on the daily basis. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by four sisters, Irene and Hanna Cephas, Evelyn Waller and Helen Pinder, three brothers, Robert, Columbus and Jefferson Pinder, one daughter, Lisa Cephas Ennals and one son, Tyrone Melvin Cephas. His memory will be cherished by his wife of 52 years, Martha Lewis Cephas; five sons, Bishop Carl Lewis (Thelma), New York, Calvin and Lance (Janet) Cephas, both of Cambridge, MD, Gary (Karen) Cephas, Cincinnati, Ohio and Dwight (Aleisa) Cephas, Cambridge, MD; five daughters, Jacqueline Abram (Louis), Fayetteville, NC, Evelyn Rideout (Leroy), Seaford, DE, Monica Cephas and Beverlyn Wongus (Otha), both of Cambridge and Viki' Wilson, Philadelphia, PA; one granddaughter, whom he raised as his own, Tanya Sutton (Ronald), Fredericksburg, VA; one daughter in-law, Margo Cephas (Sidney, Australia); one sister in-law, Margaret Cephas (Hurlock, MD); one son in-law, James Ennals (Cambridge, MD); 27 grandchildren; 36 great grandchildren; one great great grandchild and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Services will be Saturday, Jan. 5, 2013 1pm at Refuge Temple Church of God 800 Robbins St Cambridge with a viewing Friday evening 7-8pm at Henry Funeral Home PA 510 Washington St Cambridge. Interment Mon., Jan. 7th 11am at Eastern Shore Veterans Cemetery Hurlock, MD.