AL HR257

Reverend Melvyn Watson Salter died on April 13, 2025, at age 83, leaving a void in his family and community.

Salter entered ministry in 1957 at Inglenook Baptist Church in Birmingham and served as a hospital chaplain and Judge of Probate of Cherokee County from 2008-2013.

He earned a Bachelor of Arts from Samford University in 1965 and a Master of Divinity from Southeastern Baptist Seminary, and served as pastor at multiple churches in Alabama and North Carolina between 1963 and 1998.

Salter established the Chaplain's program at East Alabama Medical Center, led the first interracial worship service in Opelika and Lee County, and chaired advisory boards for Baptist Campus Ministry Programs and Baptist Health System.

He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Doris; son Duane; daughter Sheri; three grandchildren; two sisters; and numerous other family members.