Melvin Belle, Jr.

Melvin Lee Belle, Jr., 16, of Springfield, Ohio departed this life and transitioned into eternal life unexpectedly on Sunday, March 20, 2022. He was born July 22, 2005, the son of Elizabeth (Robert “Pone” Gilbert) Jenkins and Melvin Lee (Michelle Parker) Belle, Sr. He was a Junior at Springfield High School and a middle linebacker for the Springfield Wildcats football team. Melvin was a Cincinnati Bengals fan. He had the biggest smile with the deepest dimples you have ever seen. Melvin was always being silly and clowned around all the time making others laugh (most of the time) LOL. He was a kindhearted young man who loved his family very much and was always “overprotective” of his younger siblings. “Little Melvin” had a very special bond and relationship with his grandfather “Big Melvin” whom he affectionately called “Poppi” and his “Granny” Jowana. Melvin’s life and memories will be forever cherished in the lives of his parents; paternal grandparents, Melvin L. and Jowana Belle, with whom he resided; brothers: Amani Jenkins, Charles Anderson, Malik Franklin, Hayden Jenkins, Richard Belle, and Adonte Jenkins; sisters: Jailynn Parker, Amaria Taylor, Amiya Taylor, and Ariya Gilbert all of Springfield, Ohio; paternal great-grandfather, Richard Belle, Sr.; aunts, Erica (Kandace) Morris, Melanie Ramey, and Rebecca Jenkins; uncles, Aaron (Kameo) Belle, and RayVonn Harris-Belle all of Springfield, Ohio; his girlfriend, Camya Calloway; nephew, Amani Jenkins, Jr.; special cousin, Corey “CJ” Jones; special brother, Jaimer DeArmond; and special uncle, William “Leroy” Hill, Jr., all of Springfield, Ohio; and a host of additional aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends. He was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Omar and Donna Jenkins; paternal great-grandmother, Josephine Belle; paternal great-grandparents, Robert and Maxine Miller; paternal great-great-grandparents, Otis and Beatrice Owens, Robert and Sybil Miller, Otis and Willie Mae Belle, and R.B. and Rachel Williamson.